Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 21 January (BelTA) – Diversification is among the objectives pursued by modernization in Belarus, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said as he met with representatives of Belarus’ biggest mass media outlets on 21 January, BelTA has learnt.

According to the President, Belarus will actively promote the industries that rely on local resources and raw materials. These are agriculture, wood processing and a number of other economic sectors. “We will expand the use of the available resources, even through they are scarce,” the Belarusian leader said.

“We make ambitious statements that we, Belarusians, want to be a sovereign and independent nation, but we will never be so if we avoid modernization of our life and production. We will walk in bast shoes. It is impossible to survive without modernization today,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

The head of state noted that modernization in Belarus is targeted. First of all, the priority will be given to highly efficient projects, however all economic operators should be involved in modernization to a varying extent. “We will not let anyone waste their time. Targeted modernization with extensive support from the government has been going on and will not be stopped. Those who will prove the most efficient for the state and the nation will count on the biggest amount of support,” the Belarusian leader said.

Alexander Lukashenko believes that modernization should penetrate various walks of life, not only economy. “However, the economy is the foundation of our life. The economy is the major area of modernization,” the head of state said.

Speaking about agriculture, the President noted that its development resulted in export growth and better product quality. “Today the European Union cannot find fault with us. We keep asking them insistently why they ban the export of Belarusian dairy products to the EU market. These products are in demand and their quality is as good as that of European products. Europe should admit that it protects its market and keeps other producers off. Even several Vitebsk-based or Grodno-based companies got a permission to supply to Europe, though the requirements there are very tough. It is not easy now to sell to Russia either. That is what modernization is about. Had we not done it, there would have been nothing to talk about today,” the Belarusian leader said.