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Lukashenko: Pricing formula will help prevent large price fluctuations

MINSK, 14 January (BelTA) – I hope that the pricing formula, which we are currently working on, will be in use for a very long time, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he appointed Artur Karpovich Minister of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade, BelTA learned.

“The ministry is very important because we are in the process of working out the pricing formula that we are going to use, hopefully, for a very long time. There is no such experience in the world. But I want to emphasize once again that this is the task of the government. By no means the ministry's. Therefore, Dmitry Nikolayevich [Head of the President Administration Dmitry Krutoi] please make sure this issue remains in the remit of the government and is not pushed over onto the ministry,” the head of state said.

“Your task is to study the experience of Soviet trade and make sure there is a good choice in stores. As a specialist, you know what I'm talking about. Prices should not fluctuate big, especially upwards. You monitor them in stores, no matter whether they are state-owned or privately-held,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.

Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked that “our market reformists have already calmed down” in connection with the statements that the state will control private enterprises. “We will keep an eye on private enterprises [in trade] and steer their operations. Just like industrial enterprises. Therefore, the requirements are clear-cut. They are all state-owned enterprises, as they are located on the territory of our state and serve our population,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.

Aleksandr Lukashenko stated that there are always a lot of complaints about the trade sector. However, they have been getting fewer recently. “There should be as few complaints as possible,” the head of state noted. “I understand perfectly well what prices in stores are. These are prices on international markets, trading platforms. These are prices in Russia, with which we trade. You know better than I do what is happening there. I take it all into account. But we must do our best to ensure that we still have a fair pricing formula.”

“We must do our utmost to ensure that we have a fair pricing formula. It is not fair when some owners and directors have pockets full of money, while a cashier-checker or a loader in a warehouse live hand to mouth. It should not be like that. Things must be fair. Therefore, take action! You're an experienced man who's seen a lot in life. Don't wait for instructions. If someone prevents you from working, speak up,” the head of state addressed the new minister.

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