Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko: There is no total price freeze, just price control

An archive photo

MINSK, 20 October (BelTA) – Justice should be at the heart of the concept of price control and regulation, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a meeting in the Palace of Independence on 20 October, BelTA has learned.

"Yesterday I talked to the first deputy prime minister [Nikolai Snopkov], who is in charge of this effort. Everyone has been tasked with drawing up measures to control and regulate prices. I want you to hear that. We need to develop price controls. As for the price freeze, this measure was supposed to remain in force until 20 October or until the government resolution comes into force. I would like to repeat: there is no total, indefinite prise freeze. I address it to those who have failed to hear it. The point is that some have grown too much ‘fat’ (and you will not convince me otherwise). This applies to everyone: businessmen, entrepreneurs, and state-owned companies," Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The president recalled the surge in inflation in February this year. Then the government assumed that it was temporary. However, when prices continued to grow, it failed to take timely measures, the head of state said. As a result, the inflation doubled.

"I am down-to-earth so I understand all this perfectly well. My decision – to keep prices under control until today - was thoughtful and reasonable. Tell me, who has gone bankrupt since then? No one. Some got distressed. Because they will no longer be able to grow fat on prices. This applies to everyone: manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers. But this does not mean that prices are frozen forever. Coffee, bananas, and something else will be growing in prices because it does not depend on us. We buy them. But it's not the biggest concern for us. You like coffee, do not get upset when it becomes more expensive. Switch to milk, tea. I don't drink coffee and I'm doing fine," Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

According to him, the prices for imported goods will also be monitored. At least such a task has been set for the government. "There can be no bonuses in import at all. Sometimes retailers say to suppliers: ‘We will buy goods from you and put them on this shelf if you pay us something extra.’ This is a bribe! Please do not do this. There should be no bonuses in imports or for our goods," the president warned.

print version

make home page

add to bookmarks