Belarus Government, National Bank asked to do their best to preserve markets

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has asked the Government and the National Bank to use any instruments in order to sell products and preserve distribution areas. Alexander Lukashenko outlined the goals during his meeting with Prime Minister Sergei Sidorsky and Chairman of the Board of the National Bank Piotr Prokopovich on December 4, the press service of the Head of state told. The meeting touched upon the global situation in view of the financial crisis as well as the measures the Government and the National Bank have to take to minimise the impact of crisis phenomena in Belarus.

“However, working to stockpile finished goods inventory is absolutely inadmissible. If we lose working capital, companies will be left without money and the products will stay in warehouses unsold. I would like this demand to be made clear to all executives,” stressed the President.

Alexander Lukashenko also said, in late 2008 and early 2009 he plans to concentrate all the attention on the operation of Belarusian companies, especially sales of products.

Alexander Lukashenko reminded, the same day he had met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to Belarus Rajendra Kumar Tyagi. “Today they are ready to set up a joint venture with our tyre factory and BelAZ. Here is our market for you. A huge market. It should be used,” the President said.

He drew attention to the social aspect of overcoming the economic problems. “Whatever it costs enterprises should be preserved. In no way should people be fired due to the so-called global crisis. By no means should people be thrown out on the street like it is happening already in neighbouring countries. People should have jobs,” demanded Alexander Lukashenko.

“We said that we will secure deposits of individuals. We said that we will not require declarations. I’ve been contacted by businessmen, who would like to transfer up to $100 million from other countries to our banks. It means there is trust in the banking system. We can only welcome it. Foreign enterprises and companies willing to transfer money to Belarus. Not only individuals but corporations as well. It means a lot. It should be encouraged. But we should be fair for everyone. Both our people and foreign juridical and natural persons,” the President told the Prime Minister.

In addition, Alexander Lukashenko remarked, only economic methods should be used to resolve urgent economic problems and small and medium companies should be supported. “We should try to use the present global economic situation to our advantage, for the benefit of the country,” added the Head of state.