Lukashenko: Belarus needs to make money in foreign markets

A decision may be made in the country to sell mineral fertilisers to Belarusian farmers at a price close to its cost value – as stated by President Aleksandr Lukashenko when making personnel decisions and agreeing to the appointment of new heads of Belneftekhim Concern and Belaruskali JSC today

photo: www.president.gov.by

Referring to the situation on the fertiliser market, the Head of State focused on an important issue of pricing, “I often meet with agricultural workers these days. We need to be prepared – I discussed pricing with [First Deputy Prime Minister Nikolai] Snopkov yesterday – to sell mineral fertilisers (especially potash and others) at a price close to its cost value on the domestic market. The Government intends [to make a decision] up to the point of selling [fertilisers] to our farmers at cost.”

According to the President, it is possible to sell mineral fertilisers in the conditions of sanctions pressure in the form of finished products: i.e. food. “The demand for food is huge, as you can see, and this is observed in the neighbouring state, in the neighbouring market as well. China and others are also ready to import. Let's finally use enough mineral fertilisers in our agriculture so that to harvest more crops and, accordingly, produce more milk and meat for their further exports,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The Belarusian leader stressed that the Government needs to work out these issues, while not aiming that local manufacturers will be able to sell their products in the domestic market with high profitability and make good money. “We need to move away from this. It is necessary to make money – no matter how difficult it is – in foreign markets… We have already understood how the work should be organised. If Europe does not want to work with us, then it’s up to it. It is necessary to actively break into foreign markets,” he said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko added that the Foreign Ministry should actively help export-oriented enterprises and ministries.