President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko held a meeting on priority measures to ensure the sustainable operation of the Vitebsk region's agro-industrial complex
The problematic issues of the Vitebsk region's agro-industrial complex were already discussed at the level of the Head of State in November 2019, and at that time instructions were given to rectify the situation. The importance of solving these problems is also due to the fact that many of them are characteristic of all regions of the country.
"How have the conceptual proposals and solutions that we reached in Vitebsk then been implemented? The first question is: what measures are proposed? What are the developed models for the financial recovery of enterprises, and, most importantly, what will be the result?" - the President outlined the key issues for the participants of the meeting. - In the materials submitted for the meeting, the main emphasis is currently placed on state support measures. If this is the only thing you have come here with, then we will simply waste our time. But I don't think you came only with this."
"The approaches are unchanged. The issue is not only and not so much about money, but about whether serious conclusions have been drawn from the entire chain of problems," the Head of State continued. - Are there well-thought-out production and financial plans? How will order be established in economic activities, and does the management vertical of Vitebsk region know what to do next?"
Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that all employees of the agro-industrial complex enterprises in the Vitebsk region, from rank-and-file employees to managers, must pull themselves together and work with maximum effort. "Warn them that if the state takes appropriate steps towards them, they will have to work from morning till night, not only to pay off their accumulated debts but also to bring their enterprises to break-even operation," said the Head of State.
At the same time, while orienting people towards intensive work, it is necessary to ensure them decent wages without fail. "People, of course, must be made to work in the Vitebsk region, as well as in other regions, - those who have not yet understood that they need to strain and work. But we must not forget that if you are straining people, you must pay them normal wages on time," the Belarusian leader emphasized. - How is this problem being solved in your plans? What do you expect to do not only to keep people in the countryside, but also
attract new, high-caliber specialists?"Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that he expects a systemic view of the issue under discussion from the meeting participants. "How effective are the proposed measures? Can they really improve the situation and make the work of the agricultural sector of the Vitebsk region sustainable? And most importantly, have the government and the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee managed to develop universal measures that can be applied in other regions of the country?" the Head of State outlined the scope of issues. "If we proceed with the renewal of the organizational sphere of the region's agro-industrial complex, where will we get specialists? Do you have them?"
During the meeting, Alexander Lukashenko demanded that the agro-industrial enterprises of the Vitebsk region operate effectively, assuring that there would be no debt write-offs for them. "There can be no question of debt write-offs," the President stressed. "A debt must be repaid. Repay your debts. We can only talk about giving you some breathing room so that you can take a breath of fresh air."
The Head of State reiterated his demand that agriculture in the Vitebsk region needs substantial modernization. "Modernization should focus on the main direction: what will we cultivate in the Vitebsk region - a zone of not just risky, but critical farming?" he noted. Considering the region's specifics, in many areas, cultivating corn for grain and other crops is inefficient, for example, so the focus should be on milk and meat production.
"The main thing that has been done correctly in the Vitebsk region is that we started from the needs of processors," said Alexander Lukashenko. "We included collective farms and state farms in holdings. Please, give us milk and meat. If they don't understand how much, convey to them, as in Soviet times, tasks, plans, forecasts, anything, but convey to them the volumes they must deliver to processing enterprises, and let them fulfill them. The plans should be challenging enough to ensure their economic activities and repay debts."
The region's agro-industrial enterprises need specific development programs.
"Every year, based on the results of the year, the program must be controlled. It must be transparent and understandable so that we can summarize and draw conclusions: whether debts will be repaid or not, how these farms are functioning, whether they are functioning well enough for people to live with dignity, raise children, and repay debts," the Head of State demanded.According to Prime Minister Sergei Rumas, the agro-industrial complex of the Vitebsk region has accumulated debts of Br3 billion. Specialists have been exploring various options for dealing with this debt, but have not yet reached a consensus. The President's requirement is one: one way or another, the money must be repaid.
"Despite all the macroeconomic stability, we have plenty of problems in the economy, so we must proceed from this," emphasized Alexander Lukashenko. - Either leave these debts in collective and state farms (we will postpone them, and banks will look at them normally during the deferral period, not calculate coefficients), or we will transfer these debts to the parent enterprise, or we will accumulate them in an agency (among the proposals is to create a debt management organization. - Ed.)."
The Head of State was offered to carry out a "technical cleanup" of enterprise balance sheets so that they would not have debts on their balance sheets. This will automatically improve the solvency ratios of enterprises, making them more attractive borrowers.
"Work through the issue (if possible) of concentrating debts at the agency," the President said. - But they (enterprises. - Ed.) must pay at least a cent, at least a ruble. Let's say this year we will tell them: let's see how you work, we won't touch you. From January 1 of next year, they must pay at least a ruble, they must know that debts must be settled, no write-offs!"
Alexander Lukashenko recalled that Belarus is currently losing a lot of money due to the tax maneuver in Russia, so it is extremely important to look for reserves in all areas.
The President warned that one should not rely solely on state financial support for enterprises. Even with its availability, notmany problems will be solved if order and discipline are not established.
"Put in order what you have: the base, the machine yards, the complexes, the grain storage facilities, the farms. Make people come and leave work on time and perform their functional duties," Alexander Lukashenko emphasized.
The Head of State expressed confidence that if everyone in their place works responsibly and cares about the efficiency of their enterprise, then the overall situation in the country will be prosperous. "I want you to understand: the entire power vertical present here – from the President to the chairmen of district executive committees of the Vitebsk region – there is no other way," he noted. "If you think we have a lot of money that we will throw at the Vitebsk region – no. Today, gentlemen, the situation is no longer the same. Twenty years ago, you remember, it was different: there was nothing to eat, then a liter of milk was happiness. Now, milk, meat – there is nowhere to put it in the country as a whole. And no one will pray to you."
Measures to support specialists in agriculture were considered as a separate block during the meeting. Providing people with housing, the Head of State called the most important issue. In his opinion, it is necessary to return to the practice of building houses in agro-towns. "You have agro-towns everywhere. In these agro-towns, a house should be built for every specialist – for the chief specialist to start with," the President emphasized. The construction of such housing could be undertaken by the "Domostroenie" branch of the Shklov Paper Mill, Alexander Lukashenko believes. "This is where we will lend a hand. But it should be housing at the place of work – in the agro-town," he stressed.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Anatoly Khotko voiced a proposal for young agrarians to replace compulsory military service with service in the reserve.
"Why drag him into the army? We will lose more," the President agreed. "Let them be absent for military training for five or ten years, maybe two months for two years, but we must teach them so that they can at least serve in territorial defense."
Corresponding proposals on how work should be built in this
in this regard, Alexander Lukashenko expects from the Ministry of Defense and the State Security Committee. Such support for young specialists will also be a certain benefit, the Head of State noted. "But everyone must go through this harsh school of life," he emphasized. "Agreed. We will work through this issue. We need to find an optimal solution."In addition, the issue of financial incentives for young specialists was discussed. The President stressed that salaries in this field should be decent, however, according to him, the republican and regional budgets should not be overloaded by creating new support funds, as was proposed.
"There are many wealthy people. Ask them for a little, let them chip in to this fund, understanding that we need to save the peasants. And you will support specialists from these funds. Or find some other option. But don't even think about the budget. I don't advise you to delve too much into the regional budget either," said Alexander Lukashenko.
Summing up the meeting, the Head of State stated that Vitebsk region "needs to be stirred up" now. The President instructed to finalize the decree, which should contribute to the development of its agro-industrial complex, in the next couple of weeks.
"Gentlemen, I earnestly ask you: understand the seriousness of the moment. There is no extra money. It is a fight for life and death. Either we drown, or we stay afloat. But we have everything to sail normally and not drown. We must endure this," emphasized Alexander Lukashenko. "Everything depends on you there, on the ground. If Vitebsk region makes it, then Mogilev and Gomel regions will definitely not die. Minsk is blessed by God (to develop. - Ed.), the rest are working more or less."