MINSK, 20 August (BelTA) – Belarus' withdrawal from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) will lead to companies' bankruptcy and mass layoffs, economist, Master of Political Science, lecturer at the Belarusian State Economic University Viktor Sayevich told BelTA.
“If Belarus leaves the EAEU, the following will happen: the country will practically lose the EAEU market, which is open for us largely due to this integration. The loss of this market, which accounts for more than 50% of our exports, will immediately lead to the bankruptcy of a large number of enterprises, their closure and workers' dismissal,” the expert said.
According to the economist, thanks to this integration Belarus receives energy resources, primarily from Russia, at a discount. “This discount reduces the price of Belarusian goods, which are in demand not only in the EAEU market. In addition, oil products are exported to Western Europe, which means considerable currency returns for the country,” he explained.
Belarus' withdrawal from the EAEU will result in huge financial losses, poverty and hundreds of thousands of unemployed people. This will in turn lead to social unrest, Viktor Sayevich said.