PM honors distinguished Belarusians

MINSK, 4 June (BelTA) - On behalf of the head of state, Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich presented state awards to distinguished people of Belarus on 4 June.

The list of the awardees included 111 people. These were employees of the manufacturing industry, power engineering, healthcare, education, science, culture. The people were awarded in recognition of many years of fruitful work, personal contribution to the development of the national economy and socio-cultural sector.

When presenting the awards to employees of the manufacturing industry, the Prime Minister praised their contribution to the development of the Belarusian economy. Mikhail Myasnikovich stressed the need to enhance the competitiveness of industrial products, including in the context of the Single Economic Space. “This is a basic element of market relations, and must be taken into consideration. Everybody knows three major elements of competition - price, quality and service,” he said.

Mikhail Myasnikovich also stressed the need to improve agricultural policy in Belarus. “Exports of agricultural products are expected to expand to $7 billion by 2015. This is the result we aim to achieve on the back of huge investments, preferences for agriculture,” he said. This year, the country is set to implement numerous projects to ramp up the dairy industry. There are plans to commission 105 new dairy farms and upgrade 1,198. “This will allow us to increase the dairy production to at least 10 million tonnes per year by 2015,” said Mikhail Myasnikovich.

Addressing representatives of the processing industry, Mikhail Myasnikovich thanked them for high achievements, stressing the importance of this sector and its contribution to GDP. “The industry has gained over the last five years although we were unable to provide all necessary support,” he said.

Awarding employees of the transport industry, the Premier said that services should exceed 50% of the country’s GDP in the near future. Special attention should be attached to the development of trade and logistics centers. Today they are not just new warehouses but modern complexes that help exploit the country’s transit potential.

Addressing representatives of the social and cultural sectors, Mikhail Myasnikovich noted that the state would continue supporting these areas. “We value our culture and art, and the state will provide all necessary support to creative people,” he said.

Mikhail Myasnikovich paid special attention to the importance of public health and education development in the country. At the same time he stressed the necessity to provide these sectors with highly-qualified personnel.