Lukashenko: Foreign Ministry should focus on promoting export of Belarusian products

<p> MINSK, Jul 20 - PrimePress. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko called the export of Belarusian products a priority in the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He stated that on 20 July at a meeting on foreign policy priorities at the current stage, the president’s press service said. </p> <p>   </p> <p> “The Foreign Ministry’s foreign economic activity, or to be more precise, the export of Belarusian products, is a priority. As I tasked the government, we should overcome the sanctions without any problems. We sell half of what we produce and it is not worth hundreds of billions of dollars, and it is clear where our markets are. No sanctions were imposed against us in those markets,” Lukashenko said. </p> <p>   </p> <p> The president stated that some Belarusian enterprises are having problems buying components in Europe due to the sanctions. Lukashenko reckons that these problems could have been avoided if more efforts had been poured into import substitution in Belarus. As an example he referred to Minsk Automobile Plant, which had organized engine manufacturing in the China-Belarus industrial park Great Stone together with Chinese partners. </p> <p>   </p> <p> “We have to use the mechanisms of international organizations more actively in order to protect our enterprises. Everyone who intends to cancel the results of tenders and contracts for the purchase of domestic products abroad must clearly understand that they cannot get away with it. We need to actively create precedents and develop the practice of protecting economic interests,” said Lukashenko. </p> <p>   </p> <p> He says that Belarus has enough international lawyers, and enterprises together with the embassies should “fight for every tractor, truck or harvester, for every tonne of fertilizers”. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Lukashenko instructed Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko to describe in detail the results of work in foreign trade, to show the real contribution of ambassadors to the development of trade and economic relations with other countries and, if necessary, to suggest personnel decisions. </p> <p>   </p> <p> “Enough of keeping bums who strut around with an important look at receptions. This is necessary, but it is the very last thing on the list. What is needed today are diplomats-practitioners, experts in their field, patriots who are not afraid to make claims and defend the honour of their country. You are fighters today, but without weapons,” he said. </p> <p>   </p> <p> As previously reported, the EU Council on 25 June 2021 introduced sanctions against largest sectors of Belarus’ economy entities in response to human rights abuse by Belarus authorities and the Ryanair diversion incident of 23 May 2021. The EU Council prohibited EU entities and individuals from purchasing, selling, and provide investment services for or assistance in the issuance of, or otherwise deal with transferable securities and money-market instruments with a maturity exceeding 90 days, issued after 29 June 2021. Securities of large credit institutions or other institutions with more than 50% state ownership or control as of 29 June 2021 are also prohibited. The ban also affects bonds issued by major credit or other institutions established in Belarus with over 50 % public ownership or control as of 29 June 2021 (Belarusbank, Belinvestbank, Belagroprombank). The government of Belarus, public bodies, corporations or agencies, or entities acting at their direction, are prohibited from acquiring insurance or reinsurance services from the EU. Any payments or disbursements by the European Investment Bank in connection with any existing agreements with the Republic of Belarus or its public authorities shall be prohibited. The ban also applies to continuation of EIB technical aid contracts. </p> <p>   </p> <p> As previously reported, Belarus’ bilateral trade with the EU in 2020 totalled $11.9 billion (exports - $5.4 billion, imports - $6.5 billion). Trade with the EU in the first quarter of 2021 accounted for 21% of Belarus’ total foreign trade turnover. </p> <p>   </p> <p> The prohibitions shall be without prejudice to the execution of contracts concluded before 25 June 2021 or ancillary contracts necessary for the execution of such contracts. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Following the August 2020 presidential election in Belarus, a political crisis began in the country. The authorities responded to protests by citizens who disagreed with the election results with harsh repression and persecution. Since October 2020, the European Union has imposed three packages of mostly personal sanctions against the Belarusian authorities. End </p>

2021-07-21

Primepress