Golovchenko named priorities of economic and social development in Year of Quality
At a meeting with the President on the main directions of work on improving quality in 2024 and the Quality Mark of the Republic of Belarus, Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko presented the republican action plan for 2024
In particular, the Prime Minister stressed, “Quality is the most important priority of our country's policy. Quality issues are constantly in the focus of the Government's attention. The only Government Award in the country goes for achievements in the field of quality, but time has come to take this issue to a higher level.”
According to Mr. Golovchenko, the constantly growing exports of Belarusian goods and services, as well as the recognition of the Made in Belarus national brand – represented in 160 countries around the globe – also contribute to the issue. “Last year was also marked by an increase in Belarusian exports, which reached $36bn in January-November and exceeded the 2022 figures by almost six percent. Belarus’ recognition is also confirmed by the number of people who visit the country: in 2023 alone, over 1.6 million guests from 173 countries came to Belarus,” he added.
The PM explained that foreigners come to Belarus not only for tourist purposes, but also for medical and educational ones, “Last year, 123 thousand citizens from 149 countries used our medical services, and 25 thousand students from more than 100 countries study in Belarus. Nobody would come here, if local education and medicine are of poor quality.”
However, as noted by Mr. Golovchenko, there is room for improvement. “The priority is the modernisation of enterprises, the creation of import-substituting innovative industries within the framework of the implementation of the prescheduled plans and programmes. The motto of 2024 is Quality in Everything is Key to Prosperity of Belarus. The Government has prepared a republican action plan for the Year of Quality, and it envisages a set of economic, ideological, cultural and other measures aimed at shaping responsibility for the country and understanding the role of the current generation in its fate. The plan consists of 124 activities, and they can conventionally be divided into two directions: measures aimed to ensure competitiveness of the national economy in the global market and to improve the quality of life of the Belarusian people,” he said.
The first block mainly focuses on strengthening Belarus’ economic potential. It is expected that, in 2024, the volume of import-substituting production will exceed $31bn. In this regard, about 650 projects dealing with the technical re-equipment of production facilities and the development of competencies in the regions will be implemented throughout the country.
Other areas of the action plan include sustainable energy and energy efficiency, careful and thoughtful attitude to resources, introduction of modern resource-saving technologies, innovations and labour-saving ideas.
As for the quality of people's lives, Mr. Golovchenko recalled that, in 2024, salaries in state-funded organisations will be higher due to an increase in the base rate. “Br22bn will be allocated for the payment of pensions in 2024, and the latter will increase by an average of 10 percent from February 1st. This year, work will continue on the development of the vocational training system at the level of higher and secondary special education, the introduction of new specialties for the economy and the creation of resource centres for the most sought-after specialties. To improve the quality and accessibility of medical care to the population, the Caring Polyclinic, Healthy Cities and Towns projects will be implemented. Moreover, large-scale celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from Nazi invaders will become the most important event of 2024,” the Prime Minister said.
