Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko urges local authorities to exercise their powers in full
“You are my representatives at the local level. I want you to do everything you can to prove to people that this administration is efficient,” Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said when approving the appointment of heads of local executive and regulatory bodies...

Watanabe: Belarusians can win many medals at Olympic Games in Japan
The president of the International Gymnastics Federation deems it necessary to step up efforts for the development of sport in Belarus. He mentioned the fact that our country has won trampoline gold at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. “This is one of the disciplines uniting our federations,” Morinari Watanabe said...

Belarus’ GDP growth of 1% in H1 hailed as good result
“After a serious recession, the 1% growth is a fairly good result which we achieved in a short period of time. The 2018 socio-economic development forecast envisages a 3.4% growth. But this is just the foundation for our plans to have a 3.5-4% growth in the following five-year period,” the minister said...

Ambassador: Serbia will implement all agreements with Belarus
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Serbia to Belarus Veljko Kovacevic underlined the interest of the Serbian side in the development of comprehensive ties with Belarus. In his view, highest-level meetings give a great impetus to the bilateral contacts as these meetings adopt the agreements important for both parties...

Comprehensive approach to mass media development in Belarus emphasized
“Today mass media operate in a very competitive environment. Belarus’ information space is open, and we have been consistently working to strengthen the national media outlets,” Lila Ananich underlined...

Local authorities to be responsible for implementation of Ordinance No. 3 in Belarus
“Ordinance No. 3 will not be canceled. The government proposes new approaches to stimulate employment. The emphasis is on local executive authorities,” Irina Kostevich said. “The executive authorities must provide the opportunity to all who are willing and able to work and assist them in finding a job”...

Lukashenko: Population increase is a priority for Belarus
“The human capital is our main wealth. Our population has been increasing in recent years. It is essential to preserve this trend and ensure an even bigger population growth. Belarus can provide for the population of 20 million people. Our main goal is the population of 15 million people"...

Contribution of media groups to Belarusian information space emphasized
The minister said that the establishment of media groups was a big achievement for the Belarusian information space. The public and political media holding company set up at the SB. Belarus Segodnya newspaper is one of such groups. In her words, the print media that the holding company has united remain influential. Moreover, they are increasing their presence on the internet. The holding company works successfully with the Alfa Radio project and has its own online television...

Lukashenko expects wide media coverage of harvest campaign
“The media should cover every aspect of the harvest campaign, tell about the best farmers. It is a tribute to the people from rural areas. Shortcomings that were discussed today should also be made public,” noted the president said during the nationwide teleconference...

Belarus to complete grain harvest by 20 August
Alexander Lukashenko noted that the situation is not simple. Due to the weather and other factors, the start of the spring planting season was postponed, and the crop ripened later than usual. “We are already 8 to 10 days behind the schedule,” he stated during the nationwide teleconference ...

Belarus calls on Chinese business to take more active position on joint ventures in Belarus
“I believe that the corporations attending the current meeting that are discussing projects with Belarus will take an active position on the matter of setting up joint ventures in Belarus. We have heard many warm encouraging words from Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko. I think this will give an impetus to the effort to implement the most effective projects in the shortest possible time”...

Belarus ready to develop different forms of cooperation with Chinese partners
“The State Property Committee of Belarus jointly with concerned government bodies compiled a pilot list of 22 Belarusian companies and one investment project that was handed over to Chinese colleagues for consideration and identification of areas of greatest interest to them,” Deputy Chairman of the State Property Committee of Belarus Vyacheslav Abramov said...

Lukashenko: Great Stone provides the best legal framework for doing business
“Together with Chinese companies the projects are gaining momentum. The construction of the China-Belarus Industrial Park Great Stone testifies to the fact. I would like (and I know that China President Xi Jinping is of the same opinion) the Great Stone to become an example of joint cooperation so that Chinese corporations could take an active part in the implementation of the project,” the head of state said...

Potupchik: Postavy electrical substation enhances reliability of Belarus’ power grid
“We need the facility to secure the supply of power from the Belarusian nuclear power plant. Apart from that, the substation enhances the reliability and efficiency of the Belarusian power grid. The project envisages 23 startup facilities. The project is slated for implementation in 2018,” the minister told the media...

Makei: Belarusian land has given the world great poets and writers, artists and composers, political figures and scientists
Belarusian land has given the world great poets and writers, artists and composers, political figures and scientists, Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei said at the event to celebrate the 215th anniversary of Belarusian-born scientist Ignacy Domeyko hosted by the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs...

Opinion: Fitch’s positive outlook points to Belarus’ financial stability
“This provides Belarus with an opportunity to place government bonds (eurobonds) on foreign markets on more favorable terms. The reduction in the internal debt, particularly its foreign exchange component, heightens people’s interest in placing their savings into ruble deposits or government bonds,” the expert said...

Belarus encouraged to make more use of advertising to promote itself
Belarus in general and Minsk in particular have become recognizable in the world over the past several years, the expert pointed out. This is largely thanks to the role that Belarus has started to play in the international arena as a mediator and a venue for important political talks. This has had a positive impact on the image of Belarus and its capital...

Belarus PM: Russia pledges comfortable border crossing for air passengers from Belarus
“We discussed this theme in great detail with Dmitry Medvedev,” Andrei Kobyakov noted. Relevant decisions have been taken, he said. “Instructions have been issued to the border control authorities of the Russian Federation, customs, heads of airports,” he said...

Opinion: Visa-free stay in Belarus should be extended
Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Taleb Rifai noted that the five-day visa-free program has had a positive impact on the tourism image of Belarus. “The results are obvious. Visitor numbers are growing at an impressive pace. This means that was the right decision to make,” the expert said...

Lukashenko greets participants of International Army Games 2017
Belarus President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said in his address to the organizers, participants, and guests of the International Army Games 2017 which was played at the opening ceremony of the games in Moscow Oblast...