Lukashenko promised ‘serious support’ for private business if it’s as transparent as glass
The state will support in every possible way those private enterprises that work according to the law and pay taxes, President Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasised during his today’s meeting with representatives of private enterprises
Belarus’ First Deputy PM Nikolai Snopkov reported at the meeting that business had actively supported the President’s One District – One Project initiative, “More than half of the projects (116 out of 208 projects) are implemented in the regions by small and medium-sized enterprises, which account for 40 percent of total investment and 65 percent of the jobs created.”
Mr. Snopkov stressed that in terms of financial state support equal conditions have been created for the public sector and private businesses: financing at 8 percent per annum for 8 years.
“Today it is just like a gift. If the state defines some programme like the One District – One Project, we put both private and state-owned enterprises in the same conditions,” the Head of State reacted.
At the same time, the President added that state-owned enterprises fulfil huge social obligations, “Nevertheless, the main thing for you to understand is that there should be equal conditions for everyone who works for the state and for the people. They must work honestly, according to the law, and pay taxes. I mean not only equal conditions. We will seriously support those who work honestly. Just tell us who stands in your way and heads will roll, whether they wear epaulettes, don’t wear them, or are civil servants. Just say. But you must be as pure and transparent as glass. That’s the only thing I ask of you. I guarantee you that no one will take your business away from you, no one will put pressure on you, and no one will divide anything. Anyway, the public interest comes first. First of all, I’m that kind of person. But that is not the point, the point is that the country is in such a situation that we can survive only by mobilising honestly.”
