MINSK, 14 March (BelTA) – There is no need to stock up on goods, because the government will not allow price gouging, Belarusian Minister of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade Aleksei Bogdanov told the ONT TV channel, BelTA informs.
“There is no need to stock up on goods. Belarus is a major food producer in the post-Soviet space. In addition, thanks to the smart and prudent policy of the head of state, we have long ensured the country's food security and remain a major food exporter in the post-Soviet space. For example, last year we consumed 50,000 tons of cheese while exported almost 300,000 tons. If necessary, all this can be redirected to the domestic market. Belarus has almost all the goods that our people need for a comfortable life,” Aleksei Bogdanov said.
According to him, the production of milk and meat is growing, and nothing portends a major threat: “Indeed, food prices have increased worldwide, but we do not predict major problems in Belarus. We cannot control external factors that have an impact on prices, but we have many tools to keep inflation in check.”
Aleksei Bogdanov added that prices will not be strictly regulated. “Today, prices for imported goods are impacted by exchange rate differences, complicated logistics. Our country is not isolated from the global economy, but some goods that we produce in the widest assortment contain foreign raw materials. Therefore, we are trying to figure out now how to deal with it. The government will not allow price gouging in the domestic market, especially in the food segment,” he added.
