SMOLEVICHI DISTRICT, 3 April (BelTA) – The government has been instructed to work out proposals to support business amid the novel coronavirus outbreak, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko told the media during his working visit to Smolevichi District on 3 April, BelTA has learned.
“I do not mean to say that the rescue of the drowning is the work of those drowning themselves. But it is high time to use the available reserves to invest in business. We will support those who want to be supported, and all those who invest themselves. All of us need to work. This is, however, your business and it is you who need to save it in the first place. We will support if we have such a possibility,” said the Belarusian leader.
The head of state said that he had instructed the government, the State Control Committee, and the Belarus President's Administration to prepare proposals to support various business sectors if such support is needed.
“We need to work. It will take some time and people will see, appreciate and understand who is worth what. We have not closed any business,” the president said.
He cited Servolux, which companies he visited in Smolevichi District, as a good example. “I came to this company and director Evgeny Baskin did not ask me for any support. He works, and there is demand for his good products. Please, continue working and earning money,” the head of state said.
“If someone has business and problems... Restaurants, hotels, airlines have problems today. If you want to be an owner of a restaurant, and if people do not come to you (we do not close restaurants), try to save up your business. What do the Chinese and even Russians do? They deliver food home. They have already seen that this brings profit. At least try to keep your business afloat,” the president said.
“I have mentioned airlines. We did not close the borders for road and rail carriers. We provide transit. Let us compare a restaurant where you can cook and deliver food, and air transportation. Is it their fault that no planes fly today? No. By the way, Americans also resort to our help to bring home their people from the south through our airport - there, to Sweden, Brussels and to the United States. We have offered our help. We have offered them our services and planes. We have good new planes. They are grateful to us for that. We are looking for work everywhere, as far as it is possible,” said the Belarusian leader.
“However, it is not the fault of the airlines. We have only one big airline [Belavia]. We will support it. Let the so-called small and medium business not feel offended,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.
Another example is BelAZ which can hardly sell its products in the current situation. “There are thousands of people there. BelAZ is an anchor for Zhodino. Whom will we support first: a restaurant or BelAZ today? Of course, we will support the manufacturer in the first place,” the president said.
“I will reiterate: we will support only those who will try to support and keep their business afloat themselves, use reserves to invest in their business, try to find new ways out of the current situation, and diversify. Here is the formula: first try to take care of your business yourself and only then come for help. We will provide support to everyone who needs it if it is possible,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
