Lukashenko orders to set up commission to supervise exports to Russia

05.10.2023

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko ordered to set up a commission to supervise exports to Russia as he met with Belarus' Ambassador to Russia Dmitry Krutoi, BelTA reports.

The corresponding decree is expected to be signed in the near future. It is still unknown how exactly the commission will be called, but it will be headed by Dmitry Krutoi.

“Give yourself the necessary powers,” the president said. “Of course, this will be an extra workload for your staff. I think you will be able to find people who are underutilized or who can handle a larger amount of work. You can involve ministers, the government apparatus, if you need,” the head of state said.

At the same time, Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that if the commission has any questions, it should address the president directly. “It's up to you how you will arrange this work. If people contact me, they will be immediately redirected to you. And you will get together and discuss things. You have a great sense of teamwork, I think you are also a responsible person. Report directly and tell me what needs to be done,” the president said.

“We have survived. Now we need to rise from our knees. Sanctions, or no sanctions - the whole world is ready to buy mineral fertilizers and petroleum products. Even Russia has a shortage of these products. Therefore, there are no goods in Belarus that we cannot sell. We just have to take it up a notch. You and your commission are responsible for very important product groups,” the head of state emphasized.

Dmitry Krutoi told reporters that the president demanded that this commission not interfere in the operation of enterprises, but be a kind of an umbrella organization and make proposals on fundamental issues.

“This pertains to logistics or railway tariffs, in other words, those things that a company director in Belarus cannot independently solve in Russia, and the intervention of the prime minister or the president might be needed,” the ambassador explained.

The commission will focus on critical product groups. The head of state instructed to identify 75 such products.

Answering the question whether the commission will deal with exports to Russia only or exports in general, the ambassador noted: “First of all, of course, exports to Russia.

Written by belta.by