Business news

28 Aug 2020

Lukashenko compares private firms, state-run companies

ORSHA, 28 August (BelTA) – Both state-run and private companies should be equally effective, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said during a working trip to Orsha on 28 August, BelTA has learned.

When visiting the Savushkin Orsha company, Aleksandr Lukashenko asked about the dairies in the region that show the same high results as this manufacturing facility. According to Vitebsk Governor Nikolai Sherstnev, these are virtually all cheese-making factories, in particular in Verkhnedvinsk, Postavy and Braslav. He also cited Glubokoye Dairy as a good example.

The president stressed that there should be no difference between state-run companies and private businesses. Both the state-owned and private companies should be well-performing businesses using cutting-edge technologies and achieving great results. Close attention will be paid to this. All manufacturers should work in equal conditions, the head of state noted.

“Right now we do not need these disputes. We should focus on the economic sector. This is the level we need to reach [the matter pertains to Savushkin Orsha]. There should be no big difference between Moshensky [owner of Savushkin Product and Santa Bremor] and Sherstnev, and so on. We need to create a level playing field for all, starting with commodity zones,” the head of state said.

“There is just one thing: we will make an emphasis on allegiance and loyalty to the state, not Lukashenko, to make sure what has happened recently will not happen again. Most privately-owned businesses have started running afoul of the state. More so, many of them have started acting low,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The head of state added that people will not be persecuted for having a different opinion. “Here we have many journalists. Half of them may have opinions that differ from those of the government. They, however, do not go on strikes, undermining the country at a time when the country is facing a big threat from outside” the head of state said.