Lukashenko: The main thing now is economic development, everything must be done in the name of the work of labor collectives

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko states that problematic issues in economic development are being normalised. The Head of State announced this on December 26 at a meeting dedicated to current issues of the country's economic development, BELTA was informed by the press service of the Belarusian leader.

"The time at which we are holding this meeting is not so dramatic. Moreover, it can be said that the situation regarding those problematic issues that were so acute just a week ago is developing normally," said the Head of State.

As the President noted, a number of decisions have been made recently that are not welcomed by certain groups of managers and leaders. "This is natural: some dislike the increased currency exchange rate, some dislike that we have taken price formation under control, and some dislike that we support domestic producers. However, he (the domestic producer) does not always understand this. But we will sort things out with the managers in the near future. Probably, many have overstayed in their positions. This is fixable," the Belarusian leader remarked.

"We must understand that we chose the lesser of all evils. And by resolving a complex of issues, we identified the main one, without which other issues cannot be resolved. This is stability in the foreign exchange market," said Alexander Lukashenko.

"Having made a number of decisions, we are aware that they have certain consequences, including, besides positive ones, negative ones as well. The main thing now is economic development," the President stated. "The economy must work. Everything must be done for the sake of the work of labour collectives, because our people are there – the Belarusian people, who, after and before the holidays, must come to their workplaces, work, and receive wages. That is the entire logic."

The Head of State emphasised that the most important issue on the agenda today is the consequences of the decisions made: "Negative consequences must be eliminated, positive trends must be supported. I have been orienting the government on this every day until our meeting."

The President expressed indignation that some officials are advising business representatives that price controls in the country will soon be lifted and they will "recoup" their lost profits. "As I have been informed, and I have verified this, some of our scoundrel officials are advising entrepreneurs, merchants, and all sorts of swindlers that you should just wait, around the 9th or 15th, we will release everything here, and then you will 'recoup' everything you haven't received now," said Alexander Lukashenko. "I want to state that the trend, as it is fashionable to say today, towards price control in the country will remain forever."

"We see that today, trade workers, intermediaries, traders, and swindlers working in this sector have become the richest people in the country," stated the Head of State.

"We have done everything to establish normal trade in the country. Even if no more trading enterprises are created tomorrow, the number of them and intermediaries we have is astronomical. We will manage without new ones. But those that are functioning, we will force to work as they should. I have already said, if they haven't heard, or if the government hasn't appreciated it - 2-3% profitability. We will take every type of product under control, especially imported ones," emphasized Alexander Lukashenko.

"There is no point in waiting, hiding something somewhere with the expectation that after the 9th-15th, we will release it and get exorbitant prices and stuff our pockets even more," added the President.

Alexander Lukashenko demanded that the government leadership report on what has been done over the past week to stabilize the economic situation in the country and resolve the set tasks; and that the National Bank inform about the strengthening of the credit and financial system under current conditions. The President specifically noted that the речь is about the credit and financial system as a whole, and not just about stabilizing the situation in exchange offices and on the currency exchange.

The leadership of the State Control Committee presented an analysis of the effectiveness of the settlement system with Russia and proposals for its improvement.

The chairmen of the regional executive committees and the Minsk City Executive Committee reported on the situation developing locally, taking into account the latest steps taken by the government and the National Bank.

In general, the Head of State supported the measures being taken in the country to prevent the development of negative trends in the financial sector and the consumer market, instructing to continue taking necessary steps to maintain the stable operation of the economy.

The President set three main tasks for the trade sector: to prevent unjustified price increases and the closure of retail outlets, and to ensure the widest possible range of goods is available on the shelves. At the same time, alongside imports, domestic products must be offered to customers as an option.

The meeting also addressed the situation with the supply of Belarusian food products to Russia. As reported by Deputy Prime Minister Mikhail Rusy, the issue is gradually being resolved, and in the near future, several more enterprises will be able to resume operations with the Russian market.

Producers and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been tasked with actively working to promote domestic products for export next year, which will enable the economy to function stably and attract additional foreign currency resources.

Regarding the situation in the financial sector and the foreign exchange market, it is also gradually normalising. Chairman of the State Control Committee Leonid Anfimov reported on the development of a regulatory legal act to curb illegal foreign exchange operations.

The President also stated his intention to make a number of important personnel decisions before the New Year. "Tomorrow we will discuss a number of personnel issues and make appropriate decisions. There will be quite a few of them," said the Head of State.

Alexander Lukashenko noted that important personnel decisions must be made before the New Year and tasks must be set for the appointed managers.

Belarus News (BELTA)