Opinions & Interviews

Belarus president shares his opinion on privatization

MINSK, 29 May (BelTA) – Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko spoke about the privatization of state-owned assets during his visit to Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ trademark) on 29 May, BelTA informs.

According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, some people suggest selling state-owned enterprises and spend the money on reforms. “It sounds beautiful. But do you understand what I’ve said? Not everything. It means that the state-owned assets that we have, including this plant (it is also state-run) will be sold tomorrow and the money will be spent on certain reforms. I think (this is not the first year for me as president): perhaps, they will sell the plant, but the money will not be allocated for reforms. We have already seen it in Russia. They will line their pockets,” the head of state said.

The president stressed that privatization is not his policy, although he is not against the sale of state-run assets. “First, tell me how much you will pay. And I will think whether we should sell this enterprise or not,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

“I often recall my mother who taught me many things when I was a child. Now I am president, and I am still learning from her. She always told me that I should not take someone else’s things. This is the rule of my life: be fair and don’t touch someone else’s things,” the head of state added. In this regard, he stressed that he cannot sell state-owned assets for a song, because those production facilities were set up people, by previous generations.

“The work of people who are not with us anymore is important. How can we sell these assets? What for? Why?” the president wondered. “Let’s try to work and to make products which people will need. My only requirement is that you should do your job properly. There is tough competition on the market, and you know it.”

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