Grodno District, 18 August (BelTA) – In terms of state support and price trends, the agricultural industry is well positioned for growth today, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he visited the V.I. Kremko production cooperative in Grodno District, BelTA has learned.
"We have already done a lot for agriculture. Our agriculture enjoys enough benefits," the head of state said. This includes various kinds of allowances, preferential interest on loans, affordable prices for fuel, natural gas, fertilizers, especially in comparison with the situation abroad.
"Agriculture does get a lot of attention in Belarus. But the conditions are more favorable for agriculture than for industry today. This is due to the sanctions and so on," the Belarusian leader said.
He suggested seeking higher profit margins in foreign markets where Belarusian agricultural products are in high demand. At the same time he called to keep focus on the domestic market, given that the sector still gets a high level of state support.
"If you look at it in general, agriculture has a high level of preferences. Any higher would be dangerous. Providing more preferences to agriculture, especially well-performing companies like yours, is very dangerous. This will create an imbalance in the country's economy as a whole. This is very dangerous," Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.
As for the V.I. Kremko production cooperative, in addition to the agricultural production, it carries a large social burden."By doing so, you support the financial well-being of people. It's also expenses. Hence the profitability will be less. It's good that you support your people. Let the profitability be as it is. Are we moneybags. After all we work for people," the head of state said addressing the head of the production cooperative Sergei Kremko.
