Let's approach it like a country while we have a dictatorship."
Alexander Lukashenko ordered the government and the economic bloc to conduct an audit of state subsidies in agriculture in order to concentrate resources in support of lagging areas and farms.
The president noted that today key positions in the administration are occupied by experienced economists, including the prime minister and the head of the presidential administration Dmitry Kartoi. They are the ones who will have to analyze where exactly the budget money goes and put specific calculations on the head of state's desk.
"This does not mean that we will remove subsidies for the products of agricultural producers. It won't happen. I understand: if we gave free rein in pricing - sell milk, meat, etc. for as much as you want - it would be a different matter. But we delay the prices a bit. Well, that means a little help is needed for this. But we have to see who to give this money to."
According to Alexander Lukashenko, it is desirable to direct the main financial flows to the recovery of districts such as Shklovsky, as well as heavy and unprofitable enterprises. At the same time, for large and particularly efficient agricultural complexes such as Dzerzhinsky or Voskud, which were created by the efforts of the entire country, the amount of direct subsidies can be changed.
The head of state reassured Yuri Karev, stressing that there will be no sudden withdrawals and all decisions will be made carefully after evaluation by experts. At the same time, the president noted the advantage of the Belarusian management model, which allows for a quick solution of strategic problems.
"But let's approach it as a country, while we have a dictatorship. Although we can make decisions, and not fight there next to the Constitutional Court, like our Polish brothers, but they started a kind of honest fight."
In conclusion, Alexander Lukashenko added that the ultimate goal of these decisions is to create a normal production base in each region and farm for their sustainable development.