Doesn’t Belarusian Trade Ministry really want Lukashenka to hold on?Strict control and severe punishment. That is was Ministry of Trade promised to businessmen. Ministerial inspectors visit markets and private shops and watch for the prices not to grow.
VALYARYAN BYASPALY, TRADE INSPECTION OF TRADE MINISTRY:
“Number of pricing checks has grown. I must say we also responded quickly to the actions of separate shops including the networks that tried to raise prices. Here is an example of the Ministry of Trade with dealing with Patio, here is a network Fifth Element.”
Closed Joint Stock Company was guilty of deciding to raise prices of several goods. As a result, the trade minister had a tough talk with the businessman and ordered him to change it back. Those who refuse are threatened by the Ministry of Trade by fines and suspension. Ministry of Trade decides which cost is justified.
TRADE MINISTRY:
“Control measures to prevent a rise in prices are applied to both non-food and for food products, including fruits and vegetables. Particular attention is paid to the country’s markets.”
Trying to tie the market economy with their inspections, officials strongly hit the business.
VIKTAR MARHELAU, REPUBLICAN CONFEDERATION OF ENTREPRENEURS:
“Sellers are raising prices not of greed. First of all, this happens when the cost of their work increases. Prices for electricity, gasoline, prices from manufacturers, or payment for the rental of premises are growing.”
If prices are not raised, both shops and markets will operate at a loss.
ALYAKSANDR SINKEVICH, ECONOMIST:
“As a result of the ruble devaluation, which partially happened, imported goods are to become more expensive in terms of rubles. This is an absolutely normal market situation.”
Oddly enough, the actions of the Trade Ministry go against the words of Alyaksandr Lukashenka’s words, who finally recognized the inefficiency of state pricing.
ALYAKSANDR LUKASHENKA, HEAD OF BELARUS:
“We will be monitoring the prices. They also cannot be connected with the rate. If we start doing it, products will leave the market. Especially imported ones.”
A similar situation was before collapse of the Soviet Union.
ALYAKSANDR SINKEVICH, ECONOMIST:
“If prices are regulated this way, importers will simply stop bringing in goods. There will be deficits , black, illegal deliveries from abroad. And it will boost social tension in society.”
Venezuelans know what it is like today. The head of the Bolivarian Republic ordered businesses to operate at a loss so that the poor – his core voters – could afford everything. Now Venezuela has shortage of toilet paper, diapers and everything. Black market is thriving, and people in the streets are fighting for goods. Alyaksandr Lukashenka has promised not to repeat all the mistakes of Nicolas Maduro, including to not artificially restrain the ruble.
ALYAKSANDR LUKASHENKA:
“I was shaking when I saw changes in exchange rates and others. Today, I care more about another thing – how to hold on, how not to destabilize the situation in Belarus.”
Doesn’t Trade Ministry really want Lukashenka to hold on?
Yaraslau Stseshyk
