19.04.2013
Belarus resilient to global crisis, Lukashenko says
MINSK, 19 April (BelTA) – Belarus has a solid margin of safety amid the prolonged global crisis, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at his annual State of the Nation Address to the Belarusian people and the National Assembly on 19 April.
According to the head of state, the year 2013 is pivotal in the ongoing five-year period. “The start of this period was far from simple. We were affected by the global economic crisis. However, we were able to stabilize the situation. Today we have crossed the mark of $500 in the average salary. We have dealt with high inflation, put the currency market in order, secured budget surplus and preserved our gold and forex reserves,” the President noted.
Alexander Lukashenko stressed that Belarus’ successes had been noticed and praised on the international arena. Thus, according to the UN’s annual rating, the country made it into the top 50 HDI countries, ahead of the CIS states.
“However, we still have a lot to worry about. The world around us has not yet come out of this lingering crisis. Dramatic events in Greece and Cyprus are sad evidence to it. There are almost no optimistic forecasts for the future yet. The world financial and political elite is currently at a loss. Seemingly easy ways of addressing the problems by printing piles of U.S. dollars and Euros as well as tricky financial manipulations have missed fire, and there is the lack of will and baldness to take on inevitable fundamental reforms,” the Belarusian leader said.
According to the head of state, in such periods the mankind always resort to basic economic values, i.e. to provide themselves with staple goods: food, clothes, dwelling. “Here we have a solid margin of safety since Belarus has been developing its real economic sector, instead of blowing up a financial bubble,” he said.
“Future prosperity growth directly depends on both the operational measures of the authorities and the right choice for the country’s development strategy. Keeping in mind high interdependence of the countries today, we should have a clear understanding of the world’s ongoing processes and our place there,” the President added.
According to the head of state, the year 2013 is pivotal in the ongoing five-year period. “The start of this period was far from simple. We were affected by the global economic crisis. However, we were able to stabilize the situation. Today we have crossed the mark of $500 in the average salary. We have dealt with high inflation, put the currency market in order, secured budget surplus and preserved our gold and forex reserves,” the President noted.
Alexander Lukashenko stressed that Belarus’ successes had been noticed and praised on the international arena. Thus, according to the UN’s annual rating, the country made it into the top 50 HDI countries, ahead of the CIS states.
“However, we still have a lot to worry about. The world around us has not yet come out of this lingering crisis. Dramatic events in Greece and Cyprus are sad evidence to it. There are almost no optimistic forecasts for the future yet. The world financial and political elite is currently at a loss. Seemingly easy ways of addressing the problems by printing piles of U.S. dollars and Euros as well as tricky financial manipulations have missed fire, and there is the lack of will and baldness to take on inevitable fundamental reforms,” the Belarusian leader said.
According to the head of state, in such periods the mankind always resort to basic economic values, i.e. to provide themselves with staple goods: food, clothes, dwelling. “Here we have a solid margin of safety since Belarus has been developing its real economic sector, instead of blowing up a financial bubble,” he said.
“Future prosperity growth directly depends on both the operational measures of the authorities and the right choice for the country’s development strategy. Keeping in mind high interdependence of the countries today, we should have a clear understanding of the world’s ongoing processes and our place there,” the President added.