Opinions & Interviews

Belarus president outlines country’s preferences in raising investments

GRODNO, 16 June (BelTA) – Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko outlined the country’s preferences in raising investments as he talked to representatives of the Grodno Oblast administration on 16 June, BelTA has learned.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “As we make plans for the next five-year term, we should borrow a good example from the Soviet times. You have to remember that those plans clearly stipulated what facilities and installations are supposed to be commissioned and mandatory budget appropriations were specified. Good investments mean rich people and a rich region. We have to make up our minds on the main facilities and installations we will build in the next five-year term.”

Speaking about foreign investments, Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that Belarus needs no investments for the sake of investment already. “While 10-15 years ago we talked about investments for the sake of investments in order to make or keep jobs, we don’t need this kind of investments today. We are not going to build enterprises only for the sake of keeping people employed. Yes, jobs are needed, but the problem is not that painful. We need investments and the construction of manufacturing facilities that can produce profits. It is the key thing. There are different kinds of investments,” the Belarusian leader stated.

Aleksandr Lukashenko pointed out that many investment projects have been implemented in Belarus since the country became independent. In particular, China has opened credit lines to the tune of billions of U.S. dollars but the money has not been fully spent. “I will never agree to giving money to someone who has to think about what needs to be built. We should build the things that we need. We need things that generate profits and sell well on international markets,” the head of state explained.

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