OREANDA-NEWS. April 17, 2009. Belarusian companies should use all the available opportunities to promote their products to western markets, including the niches the crisis has driven other producers from, reported the Official website government.by.

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko made the relevant statement as he heard out a report about the country’s social and economic development in Q1 2009 from the Government and the National Bank, the press service of the Head of state told. Opening the session, the Head of state remarked: “Earlier you and I agreed that at the end of the first quarter we will comprehend what is going on in our economy”.

He added that heads of companies and members of the Government assured him of some positive dynamics. “They said they witnessed these changes as early as the end of February – the beginning of March. At the end of Q1 2009 they promised to present proofs of this tendency so that I could see specific results,” said the President. “It is the main motto of today’s session: whether there are the things I was promised when visiting companies and what the tendencies are,” stressed the Head of state.

The President pointed out several alarming tendencies in the Belarusian economy which require close attention of all Government bodies both central and local ones. “It is inadmissible. I believe it is a crime that stockpiles of commodities in corporate warehouses are increasing,” said Alexander Lukashenko among other things.

The Head of state advised those executives, who cannot cope with difficulties in the modern economic situation, to quit. “If I notice someone’s incompetence, rest assured the decision will be made swiftly,” said the President.

The Head of state demanded a report about the fulfilment of instructions issued when he visited Belarusian companies. The instructions touched upon preservation of qualified workforce, search for promising market outlets, enhancement of merchandise quality, introduction of severe frugality measures, reduction of inexpedient expenses, and creation of favourable conditions for attracting investments.

“Also I’d like to hear the answer whether the Government has been tuned to operate like the Trade Ministry,” said the President.

“I think today heads of industries and companies will talk about what their main problems are and what they intend to do about the urgent issues,” said Alexander Lukashenko. He underscored: “I don’t need any reports. I need an essential answer. We have lived three months of the current year. The raging global crisis touched us slightly at the end of the previous year. Now I am interested in changes, whether they are for the better or for the worse. And most of all what are the suggestions?”

According to the Prime Minister, on the whole, Q1 2009 turned out to be difficult for the country. “We gave instructions to pay attention to the industry. The industry gradually but confidently grows on month after month although we expected better results. We expected foreign markets to liven up, but unfortunately it is not happening yet and we have to work in the present conditions,” he remarked. As a positive example of the Belarusian industry operation Sergei Sidorsky named the fact that all products manufactured in March have been sold. The government believes it is necessary to extend credit support to MAZ and BelAZ to the tune of Br550 billion.

In Q2 2009 the Government expects the GDP growth rate to increase.

Speaking about the price policy, Sergei Sidorsky noted, this year the Belarusian Government expects inflation to stay under 11%. This March inflation totalled 0.6%. “We have every reason to expect that in the future the monthly inflation will stay under 0.5%,” said Sergei Sidorsky.

Alexander Lukashenko said main annual social and economic development targets have not been changed. “It is the goal we all should strive for,” noted the President.

Summing up the results, the head of state remarked: “The economic situation is difficult because it is difficult throughout the world. However, the situation is not critical. If we all deliberately work together, we will save the country, preserving the economy at a very high level”.