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“I would not want to see the assets founded by people privatized and sold for a song,” the head of state said.

Alexander Lukashenko remarked that in the past year or two certain people have been pushing the idea to sell this enterprise. ”You know my attitude to privatization. We did not set up this enterprise. It was created by several generations of people. This is at least the third generation of MZKT workers, and it is not up for us to decide. However, we will sell it if we have to,” the Belarusian leader noted.

“Do we have a deadlock situation which compels us to sell this enterprise?” the President added.

The head of state reminded that first of all the enterprise’s personnel should agree to privatize it. Then the corresponding endorsement is needed from the Minsk City Hall and the minister, then the government. After that privatization documents will be submitted to the president who will decide on the privatization of the enterprise.

Alexander Lukashenko said that there have been too many offers already. In his words, the Russian Federation has a very active position on the issue.

“If we sell something, we will set a high price for it. But they often tell us that they can build such a plant for $1 billion, while we want $2 billion. I tell them that they can try. Construction works are not very expensive; they can buy equipment using the loans provided by the manufacturers of this equipment. But who will teach people to work with this equipment, who will teach people to make high-quality products? It will take not years but decades to train specialists,” the head of state said. Alexander Lukashenko remarked that he has the experience of working with Russians. “They wanted to give up on MTZ vehicles, to set up new production lines at a plant in Vologda. However, they are still buying our tractors. They are buying MZKT products, too,” the President said.

According to the President, he decided to visit the enterprise to see with his own eyes if it can make good products or if it is high time to sell it. “As a result, I saw that neither the MZKT administration nor the minister want to see the plant go on sale. Today we can work, can cooperate with Russians. We have always been responsible people who have always implemented all contracts and agreements with the Russian Federation. We are ready to work,” the head of state said.

Alexander Lukashenko stressed that both the MZKT administration and the administrations of other enterprises have a task not to lose the Russian market. “Yes, we have to compete there. But if there is no competition, if you do not make progress, you will be lagging behind, and they will start buying similar products in the West,” the President emphasized. He added that competition should be fair. In his words, Belarus has joined the Eurasian Economic Union to enjoy unified rules. MZKT is not a loser in this competition, and it is not a private company. “It means that state-run companies can be efficient,” the President noted.

“We are not going to sell this enterprise. It should be efficient. This is an example of work in complicated conditions,” the President stressed.

He also added: “But if someone offers us $3 billion, we will consider. However, I will tell them that they must respect the workers’ rights, pay good salaries and be good managers because Belarus is not their home country. We have already seen examples when certain people were trying to put pressure on workers, produce more and pay less. But such people are aware of my attitude”. He reminded that Belarus has already reclaimed certain inefficient private enterprises and now they work well. “Therefore, one of the tasks of the president-to-be is to protect people,” Alexander Lukashenko underlined.