19.04.2013
No backroom sales of state property in Belarus
MINSK, 19 April (BelTA) – In Belarus any enterprise can be sold, but backroom deals are out of the question. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko made the statement in his address to the nation and the parliament on 19 April, BelTA has learned.
“The guidelines have been voiced many times: if you want to buy, pay the market price plus undertake to invest money in manufacturing, preserve jobs, and ensure decent salaries for workers,” said the head of state.
Alexander Lukashenko is convinced that privatization is not something that can fix all problems. “The International Monetary Fund, the European Union, anticrisis funds tell me: go ahead with privatization, sell state enterprises. But don’t force our hand too much, partners and our blood brothers shouldn’t do it,” he said. He remarked that Belarus will not go for dumping prices. “Once the situation on the market is stable, we will discuss the matter. I haven’t invented anything: Europe and America say that now is not the time to sell assets at a profit,” said the President.
“If someone wants to exploit the situation and plunder the country, it will not happen,” said Alexander Lukashenko. In his words, Belarus has markets and Belarus-made products are as good as those made by future shareholders. He mentioned MAZ that has its own modernization program. “I ask [potential shareholders] how much have you invested in MAZ modernization that you come here? But they don’t have money. Besides, I start getting reports that foreigners from Germany and America are behind them and they will be interested in shutting down or bringing down MAZ,” said the President. However, Alexander Lukashenko said he believes that a major Belarusian mechanical engineering enterprise cannot be downgraded to be able to make an axle or use manual labor to weld cabins. “The Belarusian nation has elected me and I will not allow this banditry,” he stated. “If you want to set up a joint management company, let’s make one, let’s work for 3-5 years and see what we get. If we see benefits, we will go for it. Last time I gave an absolutely practical answer to the privatization question to foreign investors and our domestic Belarusian enterprises,” added the Belarusian leader.
The head of state drew attention to fundamental approaches to modernization. Modernization is not about renovation only but the enabling of new quality, the achievement of new standards and the competitive ability. “Only then we will get a more effective economy structure that will not heavily rely on imports but will be export-oriented. It is the essence of our structural reforms. It is not about selling state assets for a song, privatization everywhere as home-grown and imported experts advise us, but the achievement of new quality of the economy,” said the President. He stressed that it was not about radical changes of ownership relations. For medium and large enterprises that employ hundreds or thousands of people, the corporate management system is of importance, not the question who owns the enterprise – the state or a private individual. “We are calm about the matter, we are in favor of versatile ownership forms, while our approaches to privatization are unchanged,” remarked Alexander Lukashenko.
“The guidelines have been voiced many times: if you want to buy, pay the market price plus undertake to invest money in manufacturing, preserve jobs, and ensure decent salaries for workers,” said the head of state.
Alexander Lukashenko is convinced that privatization is not something that can fix all problems. “The International Monetary Fund, the European Union, anticrisis funds tell me: go ahead with privatization, sell state enterprises. But don’t force our hand too much, partners and our blood brothers shouldn’t do it,” he said. He remarked that Belarus will not go for dumping prices. “Once the situation on the market is stable, we will discuss the matter. I haven’t invented anything: Europe and America say that now is not the time to sell assets at a profit,” said the President.
“If someone wants to exploit the situation and plunder the country, it will not happen,” said Alexander Lukashenko. In his words, Belarus has markets and Belarus-made products are as good as those made by future shareholders. He mentioned MAZ that has its own modernization program. “I ask [potential shareholders] how much have you invested in MAZ modernization that you come here? But they don’t have money. Besides, I start getting reports that foreigners from Germany and America are behind them and they will be interested in shutting down or bringing down MAZ,” said the President. However, Alexander Lukashenko said he believes that a major Belarusian mechanical engineering enterprise cannot be downgraded to be able to make an axle or use manual labor to weld cabins. “The Belarusian nation has elected me and I will not allow this banditry,” he stated. “If you want to set up a joint management company, let’s make one, let’s work for 3-5 years and see what we get. If we see benefits, we will go for it. Last time I gave an absolutely practical answer to the privatization question to foreign investors and our domestic Belarusian enterprises,” added the Belarusian leader.
The head of state drew attention to fundamental approaches to modernization. Modernization is not about renovation only but the enabling of new quality, the achievement of new standards and the competitive ability. “Only then we will get a more effective economy structure that will not heavily rely on imports but will be export-oriented. It is the essence of our structural reforms. It is not about selling state assets for a song, privatization everywhere as home-grown and imported experts advise us, but the achievement of new quality of the economy,” said the President. He stressed that it was not about radical changes of ownership relations. For medium and large enterprises that employ hundreds or thousands of people, the corporate management system is of importance, not the question who owns the enterprise – the state or a private individual. “We are calm about the matter, we are in favor of versatile ownership forms, while our approaches to privatization are unchanged,” remarked Alexander Lukashenko.