Business news

MINSK, 29 April (BelTA) – Belarus should focus on expanding the export basket with high-tech products. The statement was made by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko in his address to the nation and the parliament on 29 April, BelTA has learned.

“It is necessary to focus on expanding the export basket with high-technology products and services that sell well,” said the head of state. He was convinced that it is necessary to change the geography of export and its structure. “At present raw materials – potash fertilizers, crude oil and oil products, ferrous metals, timber — constitute a considerable part of Belarusian export. The crash of at least one of the markets negatively affects our entire economy,” he explained.

According to Alexander Lukashenko, the country should change the approaches used to sell Belarus-made products. “It is necessary to find markets first and then make products. We are doing it contrariwise. Every head of an enterprise has to understand that marketing, advertising, product promotion are as important as manufacturing, quality, prices, and the prime cost,” stated the Belarusian leader.

Alexander Lukashenko admitted that it is difficult to penetrate new markets, find partners, and establish long-term relations. In his opinion, the falling sales in Russia and Ukraine should be compensated for by larger sales in other countries. At the same time Belarus should work as hard to promote products to traditional markets. “In Russia, for instance, it is necessary to reach every region, use every opportunity. The same applies to post-Soviet space,” the head of state was convinced.

Alexander Lukashenko pointed out that earning foreign currency for the country should be the key goal and the indicator to measure the performance of the management of enterprises. “We cannot forget that export is the main source of foreign currency and the guarantee of the stability of the Belarusian ruble,” stressed the President.