Preserving workforces under difficult economic conditions is one of the main tasks for enterprise management. This was stated by the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on May 15 during his visit to OJSC "Minsk Tractor Works", BELTA was informed by the press service of the Belarusian leader.
Preserving workforces under difficult economic conditions is one of the main tasks for enterprise management. This was stated by the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on May 15 during his visit to OJSC "Minsk Tractor Works", BELTA was informed by the press service of the Belarusian leader.
"We will preserve workforces, but we will only support those who want to work," said the head of state. "Even more powerful competition lies ahead. Therefore, slackers, idlers, alcoholics, and scoundrels have no place in workforces."
Alexander Lukashenko stated that the global situation is difficult, and the world economy is recovering slowly and arduously. According to him, the main reason for what is happening in the Belarusian economy lies in external factors, including the situation in the Russian market, where about half of the products manufactured in Belarus are supplied. "MTZ is still lucky because you produce goods that people need. It is impossible to feed and clothe a person without your equipment," the President remarked.
At the same time, Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that "we cannot discount another reason for the existing problems: it is our sloppiness, mismanagement, and disorganization." In this regard, the head of state pointed out the need to reduce the cost of manufactured goods. He called this task the number one issue. "If we do not reduce costs and lower the price of goods, we will never be rich," said the Belarusian leader.
During his visit to MTZ OJSC, the President was briefed on the financial and economic performance and development prospects. In particular, the plant's management has a clear plan for the further development of enterprises within the MTZ-Holding, plans for modernising manufactured equipment and mastering new promising product lines, a vision for promoting them in foreign markets, and tactics for reducing existing inventory levels. The President familiarised himself with samples of equipment manufactured at the enterprise, including promising developments, and also inspected a range of mounted equipment produced by Amkodor OJSC. In addition, Alexander Lukashenko visited the production facilities of the tractor plant and familiarised himself with modern technological processes.
Speaking about the state of affairs at the Minsk Tractor Works following his visit to the enterprise, Alexander Lukashenko noted that he had expected worse. However, the reality turned out to be somewhat different. Despite a number of serious difficulties, the plant has prospects. "The main thing is that you – your management, from technologists to the general director – see the prospects for the plant's development over the next five years. And I am confident that you will find the money needed for modernisation within your own production," the head of state noted at a meeting with representatives of the enterprise's work collective.
The President also recalled that both MTZ and other enterprises receive natural gas at a price almost twice as low as in the West, and this is also a significant competitive advantage. "This is probably not forever. Although we will try to ensure that this component of the cost is as low as possible. As for the rest, if you want to earn more, look at the cost from an electric light bulb, switched on or off, to modern machine tools. Modernisation is essential," said the Belarusian leader.
"There will be no populism. But your plant was, is, and always will be in Belarus. It is a brand, the face of the country," the President emphasised.
Alexander Lukashenko also confirmed his previous statements that budget support can only be expected for specific business plans, contracts, and projects. "Money will not be given to anyone just like that. Results and a real plan are needed," he added. In the same vein, the task is set to diversify external sales markets and reduce dependence on supplies to traditional partners' markets.
Along with this, the President demanded that the government take all necessary measures to protect the domestic market from unjustified imports of products manufactured in Belarus. "God forbid, if our enterprises buy tractors and other equipment that we produce (on import) this year," the President said.
Alexander Lukashenko did not rule out that new modern models of equipment might have certain shortcomings. "But one must understand that we created all this on the go. We didn't have this. We created all this in recent years. Naturally, it takes time to improve the equipment," the President said. "Therefore, if there are any downsides... Minsk residents, I know, bought imported tractors for utility services. Why? The plant (where domestic tractors are produced) is nearby. If a component fails, it will be repaired instantly."
Addressing the government leadership, Alexander Lukashenko emphasized: "We are not WTO members, we owe nothing to anyone. Let's protect our domestic market, let's not give it up to anyone. From irons to tractors and cars."
According to the head of state, a special meeting is planned in the near future on this topic, where the government will report on the measures being taken and account for the justification of this or that import.
"Otherwise, we have opened up the country now: do whatever you want with us. This should not happen. We must protect, support, and promote our own producer. Only in this way will we diversify markets," the head of state added.
Alexander Lukashenko also instructed the government to take retaliatory measures in case of barriers being created for the export of Belarusian products to the West. "Regarding the West: they (representatives of Western countries) visit me, and I warned them. I want the government to implement this. We warned them: you closed yourselves off from us, we will close ourselves off from you and see how you will trade through the Baltics or Ukraine," the President noted.
Alexander Lukashenko recalled that even when Russia imposed retaliatory sanctions against a number of Western goods, Belarus did not cease cooperation with suppliers in the West.
During the visit to MTZ, cooperation with China was also discussed. As reported to the Head of State, the recent state visit of PRC Chairman Xi Jinping to Belarus, among other things, allowed for the resolution of a number of issues in MTZ's cooperation with Chinese partners. "If you cannot enter the Chinese market and operate there after this, then we are worthless," the President remarked.
Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that Xi Jinping is a friend of Belarus and during the visit showed genuine interest in finding new avenues for developing cooperation. "He gathered his people, gave specific tasks. The goal was one - to support Belarusians, because they have never let us down. This was a landmark visit," said the Head of State. "He left here saying: I never thought Belarus was like this and that the visit would be so fruitful. The Chinese never say anything just for the sake of it."
According to the President, a significant step has also been made in developing interregional ties between Belarus and China.
The Head of State noted that the preferential and commercial credit resources allocated by the PRC will be directed not only to large-scale national projects, but also access to some of them is planned to be provided to small businesses. "I want to give these credits to small businesses too, to private individuals. Let them take them, but with ironclad guarantees of repayment. We need to create an alternative economy faster today, so that private individuals come and work. Let them develop," stated the Belarusian leader.
Overall, Alexander Lukashenko noted that following the visit, significant progress has been made in Belarusian-Chinese relations, which will also help to address some problematic areas in the Belarusian economy.
Speaking on social issues, the President stated that with limited opportunities for wage growth in Belarus, price controls will be maintained. "We will try to balance things so that prices do not outstrip wages, in the absence of wage growth," said the Belarusian leader.
"The main task for the country before the elections: we must not engage in populism and artificially inflate wages under any circumstances," emphasized the Head of State. "We need to maintain the level that remained from last year."
"We will control pricing. Practically all prices depend on us. We see where they are falling, where they are rising. If prices for imports grow, then so be it. The main thing is that prices for Belarusian-made goods do not increase," noted Alexander Lukashenko.
At the same time, the Head of State emphasized that in some cases, price controls are unacceptable, as this will lead to goods being withdrawn from retail. "But for many types, we see and control prices," he stated.
While communicating with the enterprise's work collective, the President, in particular, stated that "we will not move on utility tariffs as we did before."
Regarding the possibility of wage growth, Alexander Lukashenko stressed that ultimately it depends on the management of the specific enterprise. According to him, if financial capabilities allow, it is always possible to provide additional material incentives for the work of specific specialists who are important to retain for the further development of the enterprise. "If you are in good profit, pay extra. But people need to be explained that today we need to invest money in modernization in order to implement these plans by 2020," said the Belarusian leader, addressing the General Director of MTZ, Fyodor Domotenko.
The Head of State urged citizens not to listen to talkers who promise an easy and happy life, but to hold onto their jobs and create material well-being with their own hands. "You must understand the situation that is unfolding today. Hold onto your jobs. Listen less to talkers," said Alexander Lukashenko.
According to the President, the world is currently experiencing the fiercest competition, and consequently, Belarusian enterprises need to produce competitive products, primarily in terms of design and quality. "We win on price almost twofold on some items. That's already good. But don't think it will always be like this," noted the Belarusian leader.
The President of Belarus believes that most conflicts and wars occurring in the world have an economic basis. "Oil, natural gas, metals, final sales of goods – that's where interests and the main money are. The struggle goes as far as hot war. In this difficult time, for a medium-sized state like ours, we must stand firm, endure, preserve the country, production facilities, and work collectives," emphasized Alexander Lukashenko.
The Head of State noted that the upcoming presidential elections this year are an examination for the authorities as a whole. "And we must prepare worthily for this examination without any populism, so that you do not reproach us after the elections for having promised something but forgotten it after the elections," Alexander Lukashenko noted.
Representatives of the MTZ work collective asked the President a number of questions concerning support for families with children, the development of trade infrastructure, the arrangement of grounds for youth sports, and the role of the trade union movement.
"Take care of yourselves, your children, and your family. Everything else will fall into place. Do not worry. Somehow we will organize ourselves, group together, and endure. Belarusians have endured worse than this. This is not a war. Therefore, everything is in our hands. We are capable not only of surviving but also of providing for ourselves as needed. We just need to get moving. And take care of your health. You cannot buy it with any amount of money," Alexander Lukashenko advised in conclusion.
News of Belarus (BELTA)