Lukashenko suggested drawing up list of decent businessmen who will receive ‘indulgence’ from inspections
President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko has proposed to draw up a list of decent businessmen at his today’s meeting with representatives of private enterprises, BelTA reports
“As far as these inspections and other things are concerned, let’s think about making a list of decent and responsible businessmen. Let’s draw it up and publish it. If others appear, we’ll add them. We’ll give a command to the State Control Committee, tax authorities and others to come to you once every three years. But everything should be ironclad because if they don’t violate today it doesn’t mean that they won’t violate tomorrow,” the Head of State said. “We are ready for this: give me the list, I will sign it and hand it over to the controlling and other bodies. No one will come to you. Decent businessmen who do not break the law will be added to this list in the future.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that when it comes to controlling private business, it should be understood that if we are talking about equal conditions with state-owned enterprises, the control should be the same. “And we’re very much in control. We’ll control you if you deserve it. That’s how it is done in any state. Nevertheless, I emphasise that we are ready not to control you. It depends on how we agree with you. The main thing is to pay taxes. And you must not offend people: ordinary workers and peasants who work for you. These are the main two conditions,” the President said.
“Think it over together and submit me a proposal. That’s how we’ll settle this issue. If someone doesn’t want to work honestly, we won’t punish you either until we find out why. Innocent until proven guilty. So think together about how to do it, but not all at once. Don’t even suggest me to do it en masse,” the Head of State added.
Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasised that he is ready to personally assist businessmen in establishing partnerships in foreign markets. “If you have an interest in Oman, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, somewhere in Africa, tell me what you can offer them. I am ready, given the circumstances, to fly and talk about it. I’m willing to help you. Just understand that we are not going to pray to you as an icon. You have gone into business, so you must know it’s hard and responsible. But it must be honest,” the President said.
With regard to various general complaints about explicit and implicit excessive inspections by control bodies, Aleksandr Lukashenko called for more specificity.
“No inspector, as it used to be, can come to an entrepreneur for a cup of coffee. They have to receive a written direction from their superiors. And if someone comes to you and you suspect something, just let us know. We’ll check who sent who. No such information has ever been given,” the Head of State noted. “So, the system is in place. Find an opportunity to inform. We will take you under control, so that his ‘friends’ – civil servants or controllers – don’t come to you later. I guarantee you that I will personally handle this. I will personally take care of these issues. Put it on the Internet: my assistants monitor everything and put it on my desk every morning. I will respond.”
“In our country, with the way the President approaches these issues, you can always find support, especially those involved in production. I want you to hear me. Everything cannot be regulated by laws and regulations. That’s why there are also these regulatory principles of human relations. Bring it to my attention. Believe me, I have enough power to put anyone in their place,” the Belarusian leader said.
