Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko about sanctions: We have persevered, we have markets for our products

An archive photo

GOMEL, 17 November (BelTA) – Belarus has persevered in the face of the sanctions-fuelled pressure. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement as he met with workers of the industrial group Kristall in Gomel on 17 November, BelTA has learned.

Aleksandr Lukashenko is convinced that if there is a seller and there is a buyer, then no sanctions will prevent them from doing business. “Sanctions are one thing but business is another,” he remarked.

Aleksandr Lukashenko reminded that he had forbidden the government to even talk about sanctions. “It would relax people and they could blame sanctions for everything then. It would slacken the country,” he said. “No, things are not easy. They are difficult. But we have persevered. We have markets to sell our products on. It is the most important thing.”

The president also reminded about instructions concerning import substitution. It is necessary to make Belarusian products and close attention will be paid to it during the Year of Quality (2024).

“We will push for it. Next year, the Year of Quality we will force everyone to do quality work. Including those, who want it, and those, who don’t. Well, if you are a thief, a fraud, a trickster, then we will treat you like those corrupt dairy industry executives. You will not be handled with kid gloves. And we will publicly name and shame bribe takers,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated. “Although I am often told that the situation in Belarus is satisfactory. But I don’t want to see corruption at all. It is unacceptable to steal, sell someone else’s stuff in exchange for bribes, and pocket the profits. Starting with retailers and ending with those frauds.”

Belarus pays close attention to penetrating new markets. For instance, to cooperation with countries on the African continent. Good relations have been established with Zimbabwe. A return visit of the head of state to Equatorial Guinea is expected.

Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized great prospects for advancing cooperation with these countries and the region as a whole. It is also important for the operation of enterprises like the industrial group Kristall. There are large deposits of precious metals and diamonds in Africa. But interaction proceeds in agriculture, for example. Zimbabwe has received a good harvest thanks to Belarusian machines and vehicles. “Today they have received a record-high harvest of cereals. For the first time in history they have fed their people with bread thanks to our machines and aid. An exceedingly rich country. Naturally, we cooperate with them on profitable terms. They like the fact that we didn’t approach them as colonizers would,” he noted.

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