MINSK, 6 February (BelTA) – In 2019 Belarus lost about $330 million due to the so-called tax maneuver in Russia. Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Rumas made the statement during the government conference hosted by the head of state on 6 February to discuss ways to ensure effective operation of the country's fuel and energy complex, BelTA has learned.
Sergei Rumas reminded that Russia started the second stage of the tax maneuver in 2019. “Belarus' total losses in 2019 were close to $330 million, including $130 million lost by the state budget and nearly $200 million lost by oil refineries,” the prime minister noted.
BelTA reported earlier that Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko called a government conference on 6 February ahead of his visit to the Russian city of Sochi. “We've gathered here in order to discuss a number of measures concerning the fulfillment of forecast targets and – there is no need to conceal anything – overcome the negative trends emerging in our economy due to the recent events in the world and, first of all, in relations with Russia,” the head of state said. “These are not only the matters specialists are concerned about. Everyone is aware of them: deliveries of oil and natural gas, food wars, which, unfortunately, we have grown accustomed to recently.”
The president wondered what tools the government has at its disposal to resolve problems, how growth of the gross domestic product will be secured, how the budget will be executed, and how the government intends to keep prices stable while gradually increasing revenues of all the population strata. “We cannot give up on any programs. And not only because this year is a year when we take exams,” he added.
Aleksandr Lukashenko reminded that once again Belarus had run into differences of opinion about energy resources with its closest partner – Russia. It has been happening regularly for 13 years despite mutual commitments, he remarked. “Although when we were signing them, we were given solid assurances. For instance, the Russian government has undertaken to supply 24 million tonnes of oil to Belarus this year or 2 million tonnes every month. As little as 500,000 tonnes or one fourth was supplied in January. You will have to tell me what has been done to make Russia honor its commitments,” the head of state said.
