MINSK, 24 April (BelTA) – Sovereign Belarus has preserved and multiplied its industrial potential. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement in his speech at a session of the 7th Belarusian People’s Congress on 24 April, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “We have preserved and multiplied our industrial potential. MAZ, BelAZ, MTZ, Gomselmash, and other industrial enterprises… In 1994-2023 the industrial output quadrupled.”
“They write that our neighbors compare the Belarusian tractor MTZ to the zero-fault Kalashnikov assault rifle in terms of value for money. Thank you. Very flattering,” the head of state said.
Thanks to modern oil refineries Belarus has quality and affordable fuel. Although in the past there were problems with stocking up on enough fuel for a harvesting campaign, the president reminded.
“We have serious competences in deep wood conversion. By making products with a high added value, we’ve become a noticeable competitor in an entire range of products starting with matches and ending with furniture and cellulose. This is why the West has introduced sanctions against us and primarily against the woodworking industry. We are competitors for them,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
Over the course of development of this economy branch, over the years of independence the forest area in Belarus grew by nearly 1 million hectares. At present forests cover 40% of Belarus’ territory. “Do you remember how much noise our so-called ecology campaigners made?” the president remarked.
