OREANDA-NEWS. September 03, 2012. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko heard out a report from Chairman of Minsk City Hall Nikolai Ladutko.

Alexander Lukashenko was informed about prospects of Minsk development, including the improvement of investment activities and the complex development of the Belarusian capital city, preparation of the municipal utility services and road services for the autumn-winter period.
The head of state criticized investment efforts in Minsk. Alexander Lukashenko reminded that a lot of complaints had been heard regarding the difficulties that investment projects in the capital city run into.

The arrest of the First Deputy Chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee by police is a fact that confirms that there are serious problems. The President remarked: “It is not good if the First Deputy Chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee takes bribes. You cannot dodge such accusations, bribery facts have been registered. What we have seen on TV was not the first time he took bribes. I had been forced to allow investigation into the case when I was told he was recklessly taking bribes. It is good he has been apprehended in time. It seems he was extorting money for a land plot and so on. What investors will come to us and be glad they have come here?”

The President said that abuse of office must be eradicated. No loops can be tolerated that allow officials, who are involved in investment procedures, to commit offenses. Nikolai Ladutko remarked that Minsk City Hall had taken measures to prevent such negative phenomena from happening in the future.

The head of state underlined that investment activities must be streamlined. As the capital city Minsk is an example for other towns and cities to follow. The most favorable investment terms should be created here, particularly the terms to attract direct investments.

This year the situation regarding foreign direct investments in Minsk is satisfactory. In particular, in January-July 2012 the city economy attracted over USD 600 million in FDI.

Alexander Lukashenko gave instructions to raise the figure to USD 900 million in 2013.

Nikolai Ladutko informed Alexander Lukashenko about several investment projects. The head of state gave specific instructions regarding their implementation.

The President also pointed out the need for the complex development of the city. “Minsk should be set right so that other towns and cities could follow its example,” he said. It should be done without wasting a lot of state budget funds. City residents themselves should make a considerable contribution.

The President of Belarus pointed out the need to enable smooth operation of utility services, the need to set right city roads prior to the autumn-winter period.

The construction of homes in the Belarusian capital city was mentioned, too. Alexander Lukashenko backed the idea to build more rent apartments, which, the practice indicates, are in great demand. The city mayor said that contracts for about 70 apartments let by the city had been concluded. The demand for the service is huge. For instance, 12 applications for one apartment have been filed by citizens in need of better housing.

Alexander Lukashenko backed the proposal to build 3,000 apartments to let by 2015. According to Nikolai Ladutko, they will use state budget means, bank loans, and a bonded loan of the Minsk City Executive Committee to accomplish the project.

The President drew attention to the preservation of parks in the city and warned against unjustified buildings in them. Facilities can be built in park areas only in accordance with approved town-planning documents, in particular, the general development layout of the city of Minsk.

The meeting also touched upon issues that emerge in connection with denser housing development in the capital city of Belarus.