Lukashenko discourages Belarus lawmakers from fast-tracking digitalization for fashion’s sake

<p> MINSK, Jun 11 - PrimePress. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has warned against fast-tracking digitalization for the sake of popularity. Lukashenko made a statement to this effect at a conference meeting to discuss legal aspects of economic activity on June 11. </p> <p>   </p> <p> A draft ordinance providing for a multi-level system of regulating administrative procedures has been submitted for consideration. The principles and major approaches rill be determined by the president, the list of administrative procedures – by the government, regulatory activities – by specialized and operational state bodies. </p> <p>   </p> <p> “Will this system be efficient? Can such revision cause excessive formalism and, what is even worse, red tape and chicanery at the level of agencies or the local level? We must prevent it,” the head of state stressed. “How do you plan to build the electronic interaction of state administration bodies and economic operators? Will the digitization help reduce costs and avoid corruption causes?” </p> <p>   </p> <p> The president warned that there should not be any changes for the sake of popularity, for example, digitization, computer automation, and so on. “Such changes are good when they benefit us and when our people, not just 15-20% of the population, understand it. It is good when people appreciate it. Therefore, we should not be in a hurry and should not be too slow,” he stressed. </p> <p>   </p> <p> The president warned that there should not be any changes for the sake of popularity, for example, digitization, computer automation, and so on. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Lukashenko also demanded to take previous experience into account when revising the legislation. “Let me give you an example. When we set up the IT park (the Hi-Teck Park – editor’s note), everybody supported the idea. Yes, it has played its part. We are very grateful to those who have been working and are working there. Thanks to them we now have IT specialists all over the country: at production enterprises, the Defence Ministry, the Academy of Sciences, etc. But we have lost track of many processes there. What did we get: the most forward-looking and wealthy people, and where are they now? The second example is self-employed businessmen. The former government was lamenting. And what did we get? These are lessons for us,” said Lukashenko. </p> <p>   </p> <p> As previously reported, in the autumn of 2020, Lukashenko accused representatives of the IT community and businessmen of active participation in the mass protests that began after his officially declared victory in the regular presidential elections in Belarus with 80.6% of the vote. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Belarus plans to introduce amendments to the Civil Code. Lukashenko said: “In fact, as we have always said, this is the economic constitution of our country - the legal foundation for all economic relations. This is a backbone of our economy. The current Code has not been thoroughly revised since it was adopted, which was a very long time ago. As I was told, the work on the amendments took several years and involved people from all walks of life. A significant number of amendments have been drafted to cover many areas of economic activity, including workforce and banking.” </p> <p>   </p> <p> In his words, most of the amendments will deal with economic activities and ordinary citizens. According to the head of state, these amendments will introduce institutions that are new to Belarus, though they already work in other countries. </p> <p>   </p> <p> The Code will be updated to stay current with the changes. “I would like to make sure once again that the changes to civil law are in line with our state policy,” he added. End </p>

2021-06-12

Primepress