Golovchenko: the population and enterprises will not feel the introduction of counter-sanctions

December 10, Minsk. The population and enterprises will not feel the introduction of counter-sanctions. This was stated by Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko today with deputies of the House of Representatives and members of the Council of the Republic in the Oval Hall to discuss a package of budget bills, BelTA has learned.

From January 1, in response to sanctions , Belarus introduces a food embargo on a number of goods from states that carry out unfriendly actions against our country. “We have repeatedly warned that actions against our country will not go unpunished. But, of course, when making this decision, the risks were calculated. It is clear that not a single counter-sanction action is absolutely painless. Nevertheless, we analyzed the experience of our Russian partners who took such a step in 2014 took into account those narrow points that were not taken into account at that time," said Roman Golovchenko.

According to him, when forming commodity groups that fall under the embargo, they primarily proceeded from those positions that domestic producers can close. "Fish and fish products did not fall under the embargo, since, unlike Russia, we do not have access to the sea. Such sensitive items as baby food, special food for people with certain diseases did not get there. For all other items, except for certain types vegetables and fruits, our producers are able to close the market," the Prime Minister said.

“As for vegetables and fruits, there are positions that a priori cannot grow in Belarus. For example, tangerines, persimmons. Nevertheless, there is no problem here: already now the same tangerines are supplied from several countries - not only Italy, Spain, which under the embargo, but also Morocco, South Africa, Brazil, Turkey.In order to prevent a shortage of these positions on the market, MART was instructed to work hard with importers so that they quickly reorient themselves to substitution with goods from other countries.For example, partners have long contacted us in the EAEU and the CIS, which are interested in increasing the supply of fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, nuts," Roman Golovchenko noted.

"The decision is non-traditional for us, so some difficulties may arise. But I am sure that this decision is correct, absolutely objective. We will definitely adjust possible bottlenecks in the process of implementing new norms. I think the population has nothing to worry about," Roman stressed. Golovchenko.

As reported, the import ban from January 1 applies to a number of goods from the European Union and its member states, the United States of America, Canada, Norway, Albania, Iceland, North Macedonia, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Montenegro, Switzerland.

The list of prohibited goods includes pigs, cattle meat, pork, a number of offal, salted meat, in brine, dried or smoked meat, food meal from meat or meat offal, milk and dairy products (with some exceptions), vegetables, except for those intended for seeds, fruits and nuts, pig fat and poultry fat, cattle, sheep or goat fat, lard stearin and other animal oils, sausages and similar products, confectionery, salt and other products. The decree will not affect goods imported by Belarusians for personal consumption, as well as intended for baby food, and a number of other items of critical import.