MINSK, 16 January (BelTA) – There will be no hostility towards the private business in Belarus, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he talked to the team of the Minsk City Technopark on 16 January, BelTA learned.
“We need to expand operations. We will help private enterprises in every possible way. In other words, there is no and will be no hostility towards the private sector in Belarus if they work, pay taxes and adequate wages, sell products,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The head of state recalled the story behind the renovation of the production site of Motovelo Plant and the upgrade of the enterprise itself. Initially, there were plans to privatize the plant; there were hopes that a private business would come and save the struggling enterprise. However, the businessmen decided to do it their own way contrary to all agreements.
“I warned in earnest: if you deviate even slightly from the agreements – we will be done with you. The person did not quite understand me and the government that we had then and have now. You know where he ended up. So jokes aside, if we agree on something, these agreements should be honored. We will not strangle anyone and we have never done this, because you will not achieve quality under pressure in prison. Therefore, if someone tells you that 'there is a dictatorship here, that they victimize business owners, don't believe it. We will not harass anyone, neither a private business nor a state-run enterprise. They just need to treat employees right. People are of paramount importance for me, for the state. If we have agreed on something, then go and do it. It's very simple. We use multiple ways to bring to senses those who do not understand it,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
There was also a proposal to use the idle premises of the plant for housing construction. It has a good location, because it is almost the center of Minsk. Developers could make a good profit. However, the president was convinced that it was necessary to develop production here.
“Housing is the easiest option: invest a ruble and get twenty back. That's how unregulated market works. And whenever we tried to regulate something somewhere, they began to pressurize us us. Why would they do it? They would say: “You have a non-market economy”. In other words, people here do not have the freedom to do whatever they wish. If the government begins to regulate something, they start branding us as a 'non-market economy' and stop issuing loans for us and if they issue loans, we have to pay high interest rates; they also threaten to stop buying our goods and so on. I had to go through this. But we did not give up on our manufacturing industry. The first thing I said back then was the following: we will help everyone who works for the country, but first of all, manufacturers,” the president said.
Thus, the Minsk City Executive Committee was instructed to bring to order the premises of Motovelo Plant and open a technology park there. “Yet, Motovelo must be preserved. MAZ, BelAZ, Motovelo, and other enterprises are the country's hallmarks. They employ a huge number of people. They have competencies, skilled workforce,” the head of state noted.
Now, new buildings are commissioned on the territory of the technology park in addition to old buildings that are refurbished.
“And we will decide where to build housing. We have agreed again today that we will build rental housing. We will help the director with accommodation for employees. He should offer jobs to anyone who wants to work,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.
According to him, during the conversation with the management of the technology park, the issue of labor migration was also raised. The president is not against hiring foreign citizens if they are qualified enough. “You should know what kind of people you hire and you should make sure that these people can do this job. If they don't, teach them. But you must be responsible for these ten or twenty people,” the Belarusian leader noted.
“Secondly, we must treat them humanely. They are human beings, just like us. And they always work well if they are treated decently. We will provide them with education and healthcare - everything that we are entitled to. This concerns Ukrainians, first and foremost,” the head of state remarked. “A lot of Ukrainians are coming to us these days. We must accept them as our own people. I have not heard anyone complain about their work ethic. They are good people,” the president said.
“In the near future, I will revisit all these issues; today respective authorities are working on them. While Belarus is not on fire, this matter needs to be addressed. After all, we need workforce. But each candidacy should be thoroughly examined. There are trade unions, youth organizations, political parties – they should help you with that. Let them check who we invite to join our teams,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
Reviewing the efforts to develop the premises of the technology park, the president said that the authorities are moving in the right direction. Yet, the head of state believes that the existing production needs to be scaled up. “They need to start small, and then we will join, help them grow if they can sell their products on foreign markets,” he said.
“We will help private enterprises in every possible way. In other words, there is no and will be no hostility towards the private sector in Belarus if they work, pay taxes and adequate wages, sell products. I believe we will be able to make the most of this site this year. And then we will build on it and move forward,” emphasized Aleksandr Lukashenko.
“As for housing, I have already said what we will do about it. As for wages - what you earn is yours. I have also shared my vision regarding the development of the manufacturing sector. As for trade, the fundamental principle here is justice. No one should demand their pound of flesh, line their pockets and take money out of the country,” the Belarusian leader added.
Follow us on:
