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Lukashenko: Marketplaces, retail chains must serve national interests

MINSK, 18 December (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko demanded that the government make marketplaces and retail chains serve the national interests in his Address to the Belarusian people and the Parliament on 18 December, BelTA has learned.

The head of state pointed out that while domestic market is flooded with imports, retail trade representatives and manufacturers are seeking state support. “This situation needs to be reversed,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

“For the government, the share of domestic goods on the internal market, alongside prices, will be a key criterion for evaluating its performance. If there are sales, there will be production volumes, GDP, and exports. But if there are no sales, you will have no GDP, no production volumes, no salaries. I’m telling you this as an economist, it’s the simplest rule,” the president emphasized. “Everything must stem from sales. Finally, make all our marketplaces, retail chains, and other organizations work for the country. Otherwise, we will address this issue using other methods that you are familiar with. There is no other way if we want to live in a normal country and not in a state of war.”

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