Snopkov: Import substitution, technological independence remain Belarus’ strategic choice
22.10.2026
MINSK (
BelTA) – Import substitution and technological independence remain Belarus’ strategic choice, and this is not about substitution at any cost, but about creating competitive high-value-added production facilities, localizing critically important components and building our own technological chains, including on the basis of local raw materials, Belarusian First Deputy Prime Minister Nikolai Snopkov said in his welcoming address at the international scientific conference Challenges in Forecasting and State Regulation of Social and Economic Development, BelTA has learned.
“Belarus must become a country with a developed digital industry and its own breakthrough technologies. This requires increasing the knowledge intensity of the economy, an effective system for commercializing developments, and the widespread introduction of artificial intelligence and digital platforms in industries and public administration,” Nikolai Snopkov said.
According to the first deputy prime minister, it is no less important to increase the return from integration. “The Union State and the Eurasian Economic Union must give our enterprises not only access to markets but also real benefits: the removal of barriers, joint cooperation projects, common approaches to industrial policy and technological sovereignty, and the formation of a single services market. The Russian Federation remains our key partner, and the search for new forms of cooperation between the two countries is still on the agenda. At the same time, we need to make fuller use of the opportunities for cooperation with the People’s Republic of China, the CIS countries, the SCO and BRICS, and to expand our presence in the markets of the far arc,” he outlined.
The current conference is held in the first year of implementation of Belarus’ social and economic development program for 2026–2030, approved by the Belarusian People’s Congress. “It is therefore only natural that the focus of your discussions is the tasks of the new five-year period and the mechanisms for carrying them out. The key idea of the program is building a self-sufficient and competitive state centered on people and on the transition to a new quality of life for every Belarusian. Demographic security, the development of human potential, a high-quality living environment, growing competitiveness and accelerated technological development, strong regions, strengthening defense capability and realizing tourism potential – specific goals have been set for each of these priorities. Today it is important not only to monitor their achievement but also to identify risks in good time and propose solutions that will make it possible to fulfil the assigned tasks amid high uncertainty on the external contour,” Nikolai Snopkov said.
“A focus on efficiency is the main requirement of the current five-year period. Every ruble of investment and every management decision must work towards growth in productivity, incomes and the wellbeing of people. The government’s demand for high-quality expertise, well-grounded forecasts and practical recommendations is constantly growing. I am confident that the proposals developed during the conference will be in demand in preparing decisions by state administration bodies and will help ensure the sustainable and balanced development of Belarus,” the first deputy prime minister said.
“Belarus must become a country with a developed digital industry and its own breakthrough technologies. This requires increasing the knowledge intensity of the economy, an effective system for commercializing developments, and the widespread introduction of artificial intelligence and digital platforms in industries and public administration,” Nikolai Snopkov said.
According to the first deputy prime minister, it is no less important to increase the return from integration. “The Union State and the Eurasian Economic Union must give our enterprises not only access to markets but also real benefits: the removal of barriers, joint cooperation projects, common approaches to industrial policy and technological sovereignty, and the formation of a single services market. The Russian Federation remains our key partner, and the search for new forms of cooperation between the two countries is still on the agenda. At the same time, we need to make fuller use of the opportunities for cooperation with the People’s Republic of China, the CIS countries, the SCO and BRICS, and to expand our presence in the markets of the far arc,” he outlined.
The current conference is held in the first year of implementation of Belarus’ social and economic development program for 2026–2030, approved by the Belarusian People’s Congress. “It is therefore only natural that the focus of your discussions is the tasks of the new five-year period and the mechanisms for carrying them out. The key idea of the program is building a self-sufficient and competitive state centered on people and on the transition to a new quality of life for every Belarusian. Demographic security, the development of human potential, a high-quality living environment, growing competitiveness and accelerated technological development, strong regions, strengthening defense capability and realizing tourism potential – specific goals have been set for each of these priorities. Today it is important not only to monitor their achievement but also to identify risks in good time and propose solutions that will make it possible to fulfil the assigned tasks amid high uncertainty on the external contour,” Nikolai Snopkov said.
“A focus on efficiency is the main requirement of the current five-year period. Every ruble of investment and every management decision must work towards growth in productivity, incomes and the wellbeing of people. The government’s demand for high-quality expertise, well-grounded forecasts and practical recommendations is constantly growing. I am confident that the proposals developed during the conference will be in demand in preparing decisions by state administration bodies and will help ensure the sustainable and balanced development of Belarus,” the first deputy prime minister said.