GOMEL, 21 July (BelTA) – It is necessary to do everything possible in order to additionally raise the prosperity of citizens during the next five-year plan. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the relevant statement as he met with Gomel Oblast's top officials and executives on 21 July, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “You've accomplished a lot in the social sphere, too: 133,000 families, including 13,000 large families, have improved their housing conditions, incomes have increased by seven times, real salaries by nine times, and pensions by ten times. The number of financially disadvantaged citizens has decreased by six times as a result. The figure in Belarus is very low. Even in Gomel Oblast. I don't compare you to Minsk. The figure is not high yet. It is necessary to raise it up a notch during the next five-year plan. Everything should be done to make it happen.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko pointed out that Gomel and the oblast maintain the closest ties with two brotherly countries of Belarus at once – Russia and Ukraine. “You should exploit it starting with sales of agricultural machines and ending with food sales,” the Belarusian leader specified.
In particular, the head of state noted that agricultural output in Ukraine had dropped by roughly one fifth as a result of anti-epidemic measures. “Because they isolated people and they didn't sow crops virtually on time. The agricultural output has declined over there by a lot during this good year [in terms of weather conditions]. Let's help them out. They pay for it after all. Sell agricultural products and food to Ukraine. They will fetch a good price,” the president said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko pointed out that up to one billion people will starve in the world in the near future according to UN projections. “Which means we cannot abandon agriculture. Food will always fetch a good price. And everything related to agriculture,” he said.
“A lot has been accomplished in Gomel Oblast. At the same time you know very well that there is an abundance of problems. The economy of your region is not diversified. You are most heavily dependent on the petrochemical industry,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.
