OREANDA-NEWS  On 17 December was announced, that Belarus companies must reach competitive export prices owing to the recent reduction in feedstock costs, Prime Minister Sergei Sidorsky told an enlarged meeting of the Council of Ministers.

“In conditions of the global crisis we see a dramatic reduction in prices of raw materials. Oil prices have dropped below U.S. USD 50 this week, and materials used by steelmakers are now 30% to 70% cheaper than before,” Sidorsky said.

“We must use the fall in feedstock fees to set competitive export prices on foreign outlets,” Sidorsky said.

Sidorsky also said the real economy remained the key priority. “It is necessary to focus on curtailment of expenses and cost optimization. We must save raw stuff to keep the economy competitive,” the premier said.