Business news

MINSK, 20 October (BelTA) – Maximum attention should be paid to exporting Belarusian merchandise. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the statement at the government conference held on 20 October to discuss topical aspects of the country’s development, BelTA has learned.

Alexander Lukashenko noted: “Increasing the output and consequently merchandise export is a very important matter. In this time of crisis I want you to tell me, one by one if you wish, where virtually every tractor, every automobile, kilogram of meat and milk will be exported and who will be responsible for it. The effort will be monitored quarterly and monthly for some positions.”

The President said he believes that the answer to the problems is simple: “We just have to make as much merchandise as possible and sell it at top prices. Money has to return into the country.”

The head of state noted he was going to have a talk with the bankers. “Foreign currency is hard to earn yet the reserves are transferred abroad and are drained by all kinds of useless projects and trifles,” said Alexander Lukashenko. He said the state of affairs was inadmissible.

Alexander Lukashenko continued: “For the next year they suggest to me some projects devised using child’s primer or at most the economics textbook. Leave it to your kids or you can read that in your spare time.”

Alexander Lukashenko said that now is the best time for effective work. “You’ve always said that prices for energy resources and the raw materials we don’t have are very high. We have all the other things — technologies and well-trained personnel. The prices for raw materials are at their lowest now. Make and sell,” instructed the head of state. Alexander Lukashenko continued that the banking industry should be slimmed down including by making salaries dependent on how much cheap money is brought to Belarus.

Alexander Lukashenko concluded: “The sanctions have been lifted. Go ahead and act.”