Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 24 April (BelTA) – The Council of Ministers and the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus will have to overgrow the debt burden in the next few years so that future generations could inherit Belarus without debts. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko made the relevant statement in his address to the nation and the parliament on 24 April, BelTA has learned.

Alexander Lukashenko stated: “The key challenge the government and the central bank will have to deal with in the next few years is overgrowing the debt burden and reaching the safety zone. We should leave Belarus without debts to future generations. I want measures to secure a steadily high economic growth rate and a surplus in foreign currency proceeds. It will be impossible to achieve without increasing the effectiveness and the competitive ability of the economy.”

The president pointed out that today’s work lays the foundation that will determine what life will be in 2020. There are all prerequisites, all conditions for implementing the essence, the economic sense of the five-year plan instead of simple figures.

“In 2020 Belarus should emerge as a renewed and progressive country, which still offers comfortable conditions to its own people, to everyone, who wants to calmly work, make a living, and raise kids,” stressed the Belarusian leader.

It is a near-future outlook. Alexander Lukashenko noted that the outlook will be implemented if the previously given instructions to tame prices, raise salaries, and ensure employment are fulfilled. These matters are still relevant for Belarusian citizens.

Upward inflation trends give a reason for concern. Rising prices worry the nation to the extreme. The president instructed the central government, municipal government agencies, the Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade Ministry and the minister himself to always track price changes. “Keep a close watch all the time. Use market instruments if you wish. Use other kinds if you want. You must produce results. The problem has to be resolved. You know the goal: 5-6% inflation per annum at most,” emphasized the head of state.