MINSK, 26 August (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko criticized the performance of the Belarusian National Union of Consumer Societies Belkoopsoyuz at a meeting to discuss the efficiency of the national retail system on 26 August, BelTA has learned.
The meeting separately addressed the results of the work of Belkoopsoyuz. The president pointed out that the organization has repeatedly received state support. This year alone, Br1.3 million has been allocated just for fuel for its mobile store trucks. “If you continue to organize the trade of Belkoopsoyuz in this way, it will count against you. Are we supposed to buy fuel for retailers? There have been no such ‘miracles’ before. We agreed last year that governors would be able to help you with store repairs from their budgets. Is not that support? If we keep helping them, we will not be able to wean them off these ‘handouts.’ Why should they work? They are living a good life,” the head of state stated.
The president also pointed out the lack of positive dynamics in the financial flows from Belkoopsoyuz trading activities, with losses reaching Br33 million.
At the same time, the Belkoopsoyuz management has not neglected its own financial interests. It receives higher wages than most ministers (1.5 times higher than the housing and utilities minister and the economy minister, 1.3 times higher than the architecture and construction minister, and 1.2 times higher than the industry minister). Meanwhile, the number of rural stores is declining, partly because of the low, meager wages of sales staff.
The meeting separately addressed the results of the work of Belkoopsoyuz. The president pointed out that the organization has repeatedly received state support. This year alone, Br1.3 million has been allocated just for fuel for its mobile store trucks. “If you continue to organize the trade of Belkoopsoyuz in this way, it will count against you. Are we supposed to buy fuel for retailers? There have been no such ‘miracles’ before. We agreed last year that governors would be able to help you with store repairs from their budgets. Is not that support? If we keep helping them, we will not be able to wean them off these ‘handouts.’ Why should they work? They are living a good life,” the head of state stated.
As a negative trend, Aleksandr Lukashenko noted the reduction of Belkoopsoyuz trade outlets in rural areas. A year ago, they accounted for nearly 25% of all such facilities, and today that figure stands at approximately 23%. “At this rate, you will lose your entire retail chain, where you can still sell the products you make,” he warned.
The president also pointed out the lack of positive dynamics in the financial flows from Belkoopsoyuz trading activities, with losses reaching Br33 million.
At the same time, the Belkoopsoyuz management has not neglected its own financial interests. It receives higher wages than most ministers (1.5 times higher than the housing and utilities minister and the economy minister, 1.3 times higher than the architecture and construction minister, and 1.2 times higher than the industry minister). Meanwhile, the number of rural stores is declining, partly because of the low, meager wages of sales staff.
Aleksandr Lukashenko once again emphasized that state aid should not be
gratuitous, should not be a “gift,” but should be provided on a
repayable basis, and this requirement applies equally not only to
Belkoopsoyuz but also to other industries. In this regard, the president
mentioned that a proposal had been submitted for his consideration to
make another such “gift” from the state, this time to agricultural
organizations – to allocate Br10 million for the purchase of growth
regulators for rapeseed. “What does ‘allocate’ mean? It is a loan! Here
is Br10 million (okay, at a lower interest rate), you must return it
tomorrow when you get the rapeseed,” the president explained the
conditions for providing budget funds. “You are throwing around this
money as if we have nothing else to spend budget funds on!”
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