Belarus begins economic recovery - A. Lukashenko

April 20, Minsk /BELTA/. Belarus is entering an economic recovery. This was stated today by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko in his Address to the Belarusian people and the National Assembly, as reported by BELTA correspondent. As Alexander Lukashenko noted, Belarus can be counted among the few countries in the world that managed to achieve GDP growth in the crisis year of 2009. Belarus promptly took measures to minimize the negative consequences of the crisis, strengthen the banking system and prevent the rampant spread of speculative capital, stimulate exporters and commodity producers, and liberalize economic activity conditions. Therefore, we did not allow a decline in gross domestic product production, the President emphasized. "The timeliness and correctness of our actions, not only in the last few years, but also the overall balance of the Belarusian model of socio-economic development have been confirmed by international experts," Alexander Lukashenko noted. "The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, whose assessments have always been skeptical of Belarus, were forced to admit that Belarus has already passed the recession stage. And the country is entering a recovery." He also noted that in the first quarter of 2010, about 5% growth has already been achieved, and by the end of the year, it should reach at least 11%. As the President emphasized, in difficult conditions, Belarus managed to preserve production and not lose its scientific and human resources potential. Mass layoffs, as happened in almost all European countries and the USA, were not allowed. Social spending was not reduced in Belarus, and key state programs were not curtailed. "The population has not experienced and is not experiencing problems with heating, electricity, fuel, and food. As a result, we managed to preserve the main thing - people's trust, civil peace, and tranquility in society," said Alexander Lukashenko. "However, I do not want the impression to be created that we have complete idyll. There are enough problems. And, unfortunately, subjective ones, that is, fully dependent on us, are no less than objective ones." The work of the government, the National Bank, local authorities, and the heads of leading enterprises cannot be considered satisfactory in many areas, he stressed. According to the head of state, in the context of global interdependence and the openness of its economy, Belarus could not but experience the negative impact of the crisis. In 2009, exports and industrial production showed negative dynamics for the first time in recent years. At the same time, the country managed to maintain macroeconomic stability and even ensure growth in such areas as investment in fixed assets, housing construction, agricultural production, and retail trade turnover. Among the causes of the global crisis, the Belarusian leader cited social irresponsibility in business, the pursuit of enrichment by any means. "Now the world needs an economy that does not endanger the future of all for the sake of the egoism and greed of some," emphasized the President of Belarus. "An economy is needed that does not turn away from morality, does not solve problems through unscrupulous collusion and corrupt ties, to the detriment of the life activities of the state and society." -0-