MINSK, 11 September (BelTA) – The real science should first of all serve people and improve their lives, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with Belarusian scientists at the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus on 11 September, BelTA has learned.
The head of state noted that thanks to scientists Belarus is known around the world as the country that makes the world's biggest dump trucks, extracts potash ore, produces lasers and optical electronics, micro-chips and electric vehicles, a country where information technology has made tremendous progress. Belarus also harnesses the energy of peaceful atom. Belarusian scientists have set up their own research laboratory in Antarctica, take part in the Large Hadron Collider project. The Republic of Belarus has joined the club of space powers, due to which Minsk hosted the International Congress of Association of Space Flight Participants in 2018.
“These achievements can be compared to the elite sport. They are important. However, the real science should first of all serve people and improve their quality of life. Therefore, we highly appreciate the efforts of agricultural scientists whom we owe great harvests, milk and meat yields. Our food industry has achieved international recognition as Belarusian products are a sensation on many markets,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
He added that Belarusian doctors are known to be unique specialists with golden hands who save lives in nearly all situations. They have risen to the occasion during the coronavirus pandemic that is affecting the whole world, the president emphasized. Thanks to own design bureaus and collaboration with scientists, Belarus' top companies come up with new sensational products. “All these achievements are a testimony to the fact that the government's strategy to provide comprehensive and systemic support to science was right. We will carry on with it. Any new solution should be patented and put to use as soon as possible. Companies can only be successful if they are a step ahead of their competitors. In this race a researcher is the main ally of a manufacturer. Our country, which is not so rich in natural resources, has no other choice but to rely on intellect,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The head of state noted that Belarus is among countries with a high level of research potential. Belarus is ranked 54th out of 153 countries in the Good Country Index. “Science-intensive and high-tech products account for over a third of our export. Last year we earned nearly $15 billion with the help of our intellect. If our breakthrough innovative solutions were boosted by better production quality (not only in industry, but also in agriculture), our competitiveness on the global market would increase significantly and we would even take the lead,” the president is convinced.
