Yaroshenko: Price control will not restrain competition in 2013

MINSK, 22 December (BelTA) – Price regulation in 2013 will not hold off competition, Deputy Economy Minister of Belarus Alexander Yaroshenko said at the meeting of the national council for labor and social issues on 21 December.

“Gradual stabilization of the situation with prices will contribute to the expansion of the use of market pricing with the application of all necessary price regulation levers. The development of competition will not be restrained in this case,” Alexander Yaroshenko noted. He also reminded the participants of the meeting about the task for inflation in 2013 which should not exceed 12%.

We will be able to meet this year’s inflation target of 22%, Alexander Yaroshenko said. In 2013 the price policy will be aimed at further liberalization and price affordability on the staple foods and services, prevention of the uncontrolled price growth on vital commodities. The country will also work on reducing the price disparity with the neighboring countries.

Alexander Yaroshenko took stock of the progress made in the implementation of the general agreement between the government, employers and trade unions for 2011-2013. “The parties to the agreement are implementing their commitments to social partnership. Positive trends in social and economic development this year testify to the fact. There is also a strong background for further sustainable growth,” the Deputy Economy Minister noted. He stressed that home demand had been reduced in order to liquidate macroeconomic disproportion. “Unfortunately we have not reached the preset 5% growth in GDP yet, but there is a positive factor for the economic growth – the increasing labor productivity,” Alexander Yaroshenko said.