MINSK, 9 April (BelTA) – The problem of corruption schemes in the Belarusian manufacturing sector has been growing, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a large meeting to discuss the country’s manufacturing outlook at the Palace of Independence on 9 April, BelTA has learned.
"We have to revisit the issue of execution discipline, or rather the absence of it and weak control at all levels. As a result, more corruption schemes are being uncovered. Their number is growing, which is absolutely unacceptable," the head of state outlined the problem. "It's your problem. If you want to go to jail instead of working, it is up to you."
According to the Prosecutor General's Office, in 2023 the number of such crimes increased by almost a quarter.
The Prosecutor General's Office uncovered a corruption scheme of bribing executives of industrial enterprises for purchasing equipment from certain commercial organizations. Criminal cases have been opened against executives of BelAZ, the flagship of the domestic manufacturing sector.
A fact was established that the possibility provided by the legislation to sell products at prices below cost (under the pretext of unloading warehouses) was used for personal enrichment of officials. The goods at low prices were shipped to an intermediary and then resold at a higher price. Facts of theft of finished products and components are revealed quite often.
“According to the State Control Committee, we have a total mess in the metallurgical industry. Belvtormet does not provide metallurgical and machine-building enterprises with scrap of ferrous and non-ferrous metals in the required volumes. Your mismanagement and disparity of scrap metal purchase prices have created prerequisites for the emergence of shadow trade on the raw metal market,” the president said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko instructed the prosecutor general to pay close attention to these matters.
“Do not refer to risks, do not say you do not have enough risks [business risks which managers sometimes have to take in the interests of further development of the enterprise]. We turn a blind eye to that. But it will never work if you put money in your pocket and do it in full view of those who should be supervising. Do not go around lamenting that there is a lot of pressure,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
“No one will punish you for a mistake. You can always reach out to the president and explain your mistake. But if you steal shamelessly, letting down [significantly worsening the financial situation of] thousands of labor collectives and flagships of our industry, there can be no forgiveness here,” the head of state stressed.
This stance will remain unchanged, regardless of who occupies the presidential post, because this is the only way to save the country. “Everyone in charge will be held responsible,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
“According to the State Control Committee, we have a total mess in the metallurgical industry. Belvtormet does not provide metallurgical and machine-building enterprises with scrap of ferrous and non-ferrous metals in the required volumes. Your mismanagement and disparity of scrap metal purchase prices have created prerequisites for the emergence of shadow trade on the raw metal market,” the president said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko instructed the prosecutor general to pay close attention to these matters.
“Do not refer to risks, do not say you do not have enough risks [business risks which managers sometimes have to take in the interests of further development of the enterprise]. We turn a blind eye to that. But it will never work if you put money in your pocket and do it in full view of those who should be supervising. Do not go around lamenting that there is a lot of pressure,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
“No one will punish you for a mistake. You can always reach out to the president and explain your mistake. But if you steal shamelessly, letting down [significantly worsening the financial situation of] thousands of labor collectives and flagships of our industry, there can be no forgiveness here,” the head of state stressed.
This stance will remain unchanged, regardless of who occupies the presidential post, because this is the only way to save the country. “Everyone in charge will be held responsible,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
