MINSK, 25 February (BelTA) – There are no particular problems in the work of enterprises and the consumer market in Belarus. First Deputy Prime Minister Nikolai Snopkov made the statement during the government conference held to discuss the economic situation and the availability of essential goods to the population, BelTA has learned.
The official said: “Judging by all the analytics we are getting, we see no special problems from the point of operation of enterprises, their continuous work and from the point of view of the consumer market. Everything is sufficiently stable and develops and works as usual.”
The closure of the Odessa port in Ukraine has become a problem for a number of Belarusian enterprises since many goods were shipped via the port. “Unpleasant but solvable,” the first deputy prime minister said. “The regional administrations report they are working with the enterprises to find alternative routes for importing various goods. There may be a pause of 7-10 days before other logistics routes are worked out. One cannot say it is easy. It is complicated but we are working on it, directors of the enterprises are working on it in order to adequately, promptly, and effectively respond to the new conditions.”
Nikolai Snopkov noted that buying frenzy was registered in all the regions on 24 February as people rushed to buy goods, which people driven by emotions tend to buy in case of a war, such as matches, salt, oil, cereals, and tinned food. “There is no frenzy today. Retailers have sufficient supplies of these goods that can last for 12-46 days. If necessary, Belarusian manufacturers have ample supplies of these goods,” he stressed.
After the government conference Nikolai Snopkov stated that as a matter of principle Belarus can satisfy the domestic consumer demand for all the necessary goods in sufficient amounts. The fact once again confirms the correctness of the chosen way of development of agribusiness. A shortage of critical imports such as individual kinds of fresh fruits and vegetables may occur. “But I think this issue will be resolved by adjusting the logistics,” he said.
