Lukashenko wants list of price-regulated goods expanded
<p> MINSK, Dec 7 - PrimePress. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has set the task to work out a procedure for curbing prices of a wider range of commodities than are currently on the list of socially important goods. He spoke about this at the meeting on drafting forecasts for 2021 held on December 7, 2020, the presidential press office reports. </p> <p> </p> <p> “Who said that a refrigerator or a washing machine are not socially important goods? They are also important. Therefore, it is necessary to work out, once and for all, a mechanism to curb prices in all areas and segments. We restrain the farmers (mainly, it’s a matter of foods and clothing), and everyone else is free. This still somehow affects the pricing in agriculture, for instance, the foods. We have talked a lot about this, and we have already practiced price control, curbing inflation,” said Lukashenko. </p> <p> </p> <p> At present, the list of socially important goods includes day-to-day foods. The marginal rate of return included in the producer selling prices of socially important goods is limited to 10%. </p> <p> </p> <p> Lukashenko also demanded that there is no decline in the economy in 2021. “We must set goals and, whatever it takes, achieve them. I only demand that there should be positive dynamics in all areas next year,” said Lukashenko, stating concern over the budget generation. “It is suggested for the second year in a row to plan a deficit. On the one hand, certain balances of the budget surplus of the previous years have been accumulated. On the other hand, it is impossible to live for long at the expense of reserves,” he said. </p> <p> </p> <p> As previously reported, the Finance Ministry of Belarus reported a Br583.5 million ($227.1 million at the rate of the National Bank of Belarus) national budget deficit in January-October 2020 (0.5% of GDP in Jan-Oct 2020). The Finance Ministry was tasked to achieve a budget deficit of 3% of GDP or below in 2021. According to preliminary estimates made this autumn, the consolidated budget deficit is forecasted at 2.7% of GDP, national budget deficit – 2.6% of GDP. End </p> <p> </p>
2020-12-08
Primepress
Lukashenko wants list of price-regulated goods expanded
MINSK, Dec 7 - PrimePress. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has set the task to work out a procedure for curbing prices of a wider range of commodities than are currently on the list of socially important goods. He spoke about this at the meeting on drafting forecasts for 2021 held on December 7, 2020, the presidential press office reports.
“Who said that a refrigerator or a washing machine are not socially important goods? They are also important. Therefore, it is necessary to work out, once and for all, a mechanism to curb prices in all areas and segments. We restrain the farmers (mainly, it’s a matter of foods and clothing), and everyone else is free. This still somehow affects the pricing in agriculture, for instance, the foods. We have talked a lot about this, and we have already practiced price control, curbing inflation,” said Lukashenko.
At present, the list of socially important goods includes day-to-day foods. The marginal rate of return included in the producer selling prices of socially important goods is limited to 10%.
Lukashenko also demanded that there is no decline in the economy in 2021. “We must set goals and, whatever it takes, achieve them. I only demand that there should be positive dynamics in all areas next year,” said Lukashenko, stating concern over the budget generation. “It is suggested for the second year in a row to plan a deficit. On the one hand, certain balances of the budget surplus of the previous years have been accumulated. On the other hand, it is impossible to live for long at the expense of reserves,” he said.
As previously reported, the Finance Ministry of Belarus reported a Br583.5 million ($227.1 million at the rate of the National Bank of Belarus) national budget deficit in January-October 2020 (0.5% of GDP in Jan-Oct 2020). The Finance Ministry was tasked to achieve a budget deficit of 3% of GDP or below in 2021. According to preliminary estimates made this autumn, the consolidated budget deficit is forecasted at 2.7% of GDP, national budget deficit – 2.6% of GDP. End