Lukashenko on the types of strategic projects for Belarus
At today’s meeting on improving the planning system for strategic projects, the President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, pointed out two directions in which these projects should be implemented
The first direction covers deepening of those technological processes that already exist in Belarus, “That is, we have certain schools in machine building, tractors, cars, BelAZ, MAZ, buses... This all is already known in the markets. We also have certain areas in agriculture: processing and so on. In each of the areas there is an opportunity and need to expand. The technologies are clear, we know this, schools exist, personnel know in which direction to move, so we will go deeper,” noted the President.
As an example, the Head of State cited a project for the production of packaging material at the Svetlogorsk Pulp and Cardboard Mill. Previously, a new pulp plant was put into operation there. Pulp was exported, and from abroad Belarus imported the final product: packaging paper and cardboard. Obviously, it would be much more profitable to set up such production at home, which is why the decision was made to build the new facility, which will soon be completed. The President underlined, “Here is an indicator of one of the small strategic projects, which was realised in about 1.5-2 years. We’re implementing this project, deepening what we have today. And this is the basis of our further development.”
According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, the second type of strategic projects is one or even two steps higher: the creation of new production facilities.
The most obvious example of this direction is the Belarusian NPP. The Head of State does not rule out further development of this project, “Today, as you noticed, I am carefully bringing you to the conclusion that it would be good to have a second nuclear power plant in the country. It’s very profitable. Such studies are currently underway at the initial stage. We have decided: either we add two power units to the existing facility, or we build two more power units in the Mogilev Region, where we have a second site. Then we will get more than half of the electricity from the nuclear power plant: a clean and very profitable product. Our children can already live in security.”
Another striking example of the creation of new industries is the Belarusian National Biotechnology Corporation (BNBC). The President stressed, “These are the strategic directions that will raise the country two or three levels higher than it is now. This is new, and we need to move in this direction, if we have always boasted that we are so smart and advanced, if we want to prove it in practice. This is very beneficial and we need it.”
The Head of State noted that he reveals the topic in such detail enabling everyone to understand how he sees it and how he assesses the prospects for the development of Belarus on the basis of strategic projects.
