Alexander Lukashenko: considerable steps are required to liberalise Belarus economy

At present considerable steps should be made to liberalise the economy and de-bureaucratise the entire system in Belarus, said Belarusian head of state Alexander Lukashenko at a government session dedicated to domestic and foreign policy affairs on October 30. Alexander Lukashenko thanked the Belarusians for their trust in the banking system. “I would like to thank the nation for the way people act now in view of the global financial crisis. Our people trust the banking system. Thanks to the fact there is stability in Belarus,” said the President. The head of state added, he intends to sign documents regulating guarantees for individuals soon. “Just in case so that people would stay confident that their savings will not be lost. And certainly I will demand that all decisions should be fulfilled,” said the Belarusian leader. “We are annulling the declaration during depositing: nobody should ferret about in people’s pockets. You see the attitude of the people towards the state. It means a lot and we should cooperate with our people in all areas and cooperate with those who will come to us. I’ve said already that foreign citizens come to Belarus and offer their money for depositing in Belarusian banks. It means people trust [us]”. Alexander Lukashenko remarked, during the present session he intends to hear out reports concerning the national economic situation and the government’s efforts in view of the global financial crisis, “which is already affecting the economic development of many states”. “It may be less urgent for us than for other countries and the crisis’ impact on Belarus is lower, but our republic is not isolated. The operation of the Belarusian economy should be considered taking it into account,” said the President. Chairman of the Board of the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus (NBRB) Piotr Prokopovich is expected to inform participants of the session about the financial market situation and how the Belarusian financial system deals with the present global challenges. A session of the Supreme State Council is expected to take place in late November. The head of state remarked, the forthcoming session of the Supreme State Council will be a special one. Belarus intends to put issues of vital importance for the development of future relations between Belarus and Russia on the agenda. The SSC session is expected to take place at the end of November.

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