Discuss issues that require immediate resolution. Lukashenko held a meeting with the Council of Ministers

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June 14, MINSK . On June 14, President of Belarus ALEXANDER LUKASHENKO held a meeting with the leadership of the Council of Ministers to discuss a number of important and fundamental economic issues that require urgent solutions, BELTA correspondent reports.
On the development of pellet production
 
The first issue on the agenda concerned the efficient operation of pellet production. The HEAD of state noted that the country has created significant pellet production capacities, which has made it possible to involve low-grade wood and wood waste into production. “This was my strict, urgent demand. Why? You’re flying over the country, the windbreak in the forest is scary to look at. I think, why not process all this and get the effect from it? We built factories that turn it all into wood chips, and we get an excellent fuel resource,” explained Alexander Lukashenko.
But the head of state criticized the current work of production and the volume of sales of their products. The President considers efforts to organize EXPORT supplies of this type of fuel and its use in the domestic market to be insufficient. Some decision-makers are not making enough efforts to increase sales volumes, relying on natural gas supplies to the country. “The President visited us and made an agreement... We will heat with gas, we don’t need firewood, we don’t need pellets,” Alexander Lukashenko cited the arguments of such officials. Considerable investments
 
have been made in this area , both public and private. However, as Alexander Lukashenko noted, pellet production, due to known external circumstances, is now operating at a slow pace, and stocks of low-grade commercial wood are growing. “At the same time, the measures taken by the government, frankly speaking, did not produce results,” the head of state stated. The President noted: “Once production has been created, they must work. And, of course, not at a loss. And emerging problems must be solved comprehensively and consistently.” Previously, the industry had established that all issues regarding the activities of pellet production would be resolved before the start of the heating season. The time has come to compare notes on how these plans are being implemented, the head of state emphasized. Alexander Lukashenko asked the government what the prospects for the activities of pellet production are, what has been done to find new markets and supply schemes, whether the use of these products in the domestic market is increasing, what decisions have been made to stimulate the use of pellets by the population.





Deputy Prime Minister Petr Parkhomczyk made a report on this topic at the meeting. In the country, according to him, more than 60 pellet production facilities have been created, of which 60% are state-owned (under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Forestry and Bellesbumprom) and 40% are without departmental subordination. The massive construction of these production facilities was due to two factors: the need to process sawmill and woodworking waste generated during the production process and the high demand for these products in the European Union (market capacity - 12.5 million tons per year).
The capacity of the enterprises established in Belarus allows the production of 1 million tons of pellets per year. In 2021, 570 thousand tons of domestic pellets were supplied to Europe. However, from the second half of 2022, the sale of pellets to the European market has become impossible. To this, the President reasonably noted that when organizing production, it is impossible to focus on only one sales market, and he repeatedly warned about this: “Why only to Europe? You put your eggs in one basket. I am still warning you about this: what to do about it?” it is forbidden!"



According to the Deputy Prime Minister, the government continues to work to find options for supplying pellets to other countries, and is also taking a set of measures to expand the use of pellets in the domestic market.
About the work of agricultural services

The work of agricultural services became the second issue at the meeting of the President with the leadership of the Council of Ministers. There are 134 such organizations in the country. They provide agricultural services, transport, repair and other services.


Alexander Lukashenko recalled how in Belarus, at his request, they restored the network of agricultural services, which they tried to destroy during the market economy. “The market came, they decided to destroy all this. I said: no, this must work. And today it is necessary,” said the head of state. He believes that service centers of large Belarusian enterprises need to be developed on the basis of agricultural service organizations. “We work hard abroad, creating service centers. Without service, without servicing your equipment, no one will buy it from you abroad. Why can’t we use them in our own country?” asked the head of state. “So that they provide services locally, so that bandits and swindlers, intermediaries did not bring you any spare parts.”
The situation, according to the President, is similar with mobile mechanized columns, which were widespread in Soviet times and whose potential must be preserved and developed, especially at the district level. “Restore them. We have 200 thousand hectares that need to be restored through land reclamation. Who will do this? These MMPK (inter-district mobile mechanized columns. - BELTA note),” explained Alexander Lukashenko. In addition to performing a whole range of work - from minor assistance to the population in the repair of agricultural equipment to more global land reclamation tasks - the development of the PMC also provides additional jobs and employment opportunities in rural areas.

Alexander Lukashenko recalled that in 2019, unprecedented support was already provided to the parent company, Belagroservice, through the restructuring of debt to the budget. “That is, you work disgracefully, you are deeply in debt - Belagroservis - you deferred your debts, actually forgave them. Why did you come to me again?” - asked the President.
In this regard, the head of state once again emphasized his iron-clad demand for regional leaders and the government: there must be strict discipline in accounting. “Without her, we will continue to go in circles, constantly returning to these issues,” he noted.

Continuing the conversation about the agricultural industry, the President warned the responsible persons about the need for timely payments to peasants and agricultural organizations for the supplied products. “I warn you: there should be no debt to peasants, collective farms, state farms on August 1, either for MILK or MEAT. Take the money that was stolen from the swindlers and give it to the peasants for the products supplied,” Alexander Lukashenko emphasized.

As explainedMinister of Agriculture and Food Sergei Bartosh, following the meeting, the debt of Belagroservice arose due to the failure of individual enterprises to repay debts for previously supplied equipment. Previously, a decree was adopted that helped to restructure the debt and provide installment plans, but not all regions were able to do this. The President sent the draft of the new document, which was discussed at the meeting, for revision in order to “put everyone on an equal footing.”
Another decision was made regarding agricultural service enterprises. The head of state approved the proposal to allow agricultural organizations to purchase spare parts supplied by Belagroservice enterprises from a single source. This will allow you not to carry out lengthy procurement procedures and competitive bidding, but to quickly purchase the necessary spare parts from Belagroservice.
About the satellite communications and broadcasting system

The third important issue concerned the project to create a satellite communications and broadcasting system. The head of state recalled that the communications satellite was launched in 2016 and, after being put into orbit and the ground complex was put into operation, is successfully performing its functions. The President named the commercialization and payback of this project as the main task at the moment. “The satellite was launched not only to use it in their own interests. But even if it is in their own interests, you have to pay for the satellite,” Alexander Lukashenko noted.
In 2020, a decree of the head of state was adopted, which determined the procedure for fulfilling financial obligations under the project “Creation of a national satellite communication and broadcasting system of the Republic of Belarus.” The government proposes to adjust this document. However, the President was critical of the possible adjustment of the order if it concerns additional financial costs. “What does it mean to adjust? Money again. There will be no money. And you will perform your function as I once instructed you,” the head of state said.

Chairman of the State Military-Industrial Committee Dmitry Pantus reported to the President on this issue. According to him, the satellite communication and broadcasting system is operating in the prescribed manner, all technical aspects are normal. “In accordance with the established procedure, we provide satellite communication services to all law enforcement agencies of Belarus and beyond. We are working together with the Ministry of Information to distribute public broadcasting channels. This work will continue in order to increase the commercialization of our national system,” the head of the State Military-Industrial Complex said following the meeting.