MINSK, 9 August (BelTA) – The task set by the Belarusian president to launch new enterprises and create new jobs in each district is a political decision and it should be implemented, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at the meeting of the Council of Ministers held on 9 August to discuss the functioning of the country's economy under sanctions and measures to overcome them, BelTA has learned.
According to Chairman of the State Control Committee Vasily Gerasimov, not all heads of district administrations worked out plans to create small export-oriented, innovative companies.
Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko confirmed it. He added that not all executives have a strategic vision for the development of their districts. Many heads of district administrations are busy with current tasks and everyday things. In this regard, the government is ready to get involved and propose projects. Preliminary work and analysis have already been carried out. All the country's districts were conditionally divided into three groups - industrial, agro-industrial and agricultural. The Economy Ministry analyzed competitive advantages of each district, available raw materials and labor resources. “We are already mapping out our industrialization plan. We will push the districts to implement these projects. I see no other way,” the head of government said.
In this regard, Aleksandr Lukashenko warned the governors that this decision is political and must be implemented. “It sounds good when you say that you will deliver... But if some of the governors think that I was joking, you are mistaken. I want you to understand: this is a political decision of the president.”
The president noted that small towns do not compare to Minsk. People living there are not rich. They need to be provided with good jobs. "Unemployed people are visible there. Yes, we need to encourage people to find jobs. But we need to offer them jobs. The most important reason for this political decision is to distribute the workforce, to put a cap on the influx of people from the regions to Minsk. Minsk will soon be overpopulated," the Belarusian leader said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko recalled that a number of decisions were made at one time with an aim to encourage people to stay regions. A program for the development of satellite cities was implemented. "Meanwhile we are still promoting residential development in Minsk ... Instead, we need to focus on towns, district centers. We need to create a normal life there. We need to spread population evenly."
The head of state recalled that he raised this topic during a recent working trip to Miory District. Every district needs to set up a small enterprise, depending on the availability of labor resources. "Towns should have the conditions for living and working. It's not an out-of-the-blue decision. The governors are not hearing me. Look, you are playing with fire. You will be held accountable," Aleksandr Lukashenko warned.
He also stressed that the overall picture always consists of details, and to achieve a result, it is necessary to pay attention to everything, including in terms of maintaining order. "It will be very sad if at the end of the year we see that some have underperformed," the president added.
