Software from unfriendly countries may pose a threat to the security of strategic facilities: the Belarusian nuclear power plant, other energy facilities and the financial sector. Deputy Chairman of the Council of the Republic Valery Belsky and Deputy Head of Presidential Administration Maxim Yermolovich told how to protect yourself and how soon the software of Belarusian developers may appear.
It will take time to fully replace the software, purchased in Western countries before the sanctions. Now import substitution in sensitive areas of the economy, including the banking sector, is getting the closest attention. "They are looking for opportunities to replace both hardware and software," said Valery Belsky. - It is not always possible to quickly implement the calculations and plans of substitution. But they are being implemented. I think that the replacement of many components, which are now working in our country, will take 3-4 years.
And the vice-speaker of the upper house of parliament also pointed out that there is another side - companies that are less well-known, but located in friendly countries. "And we can not only refuse certain imports, but also redirect it, if economically necessary, to friendly countries," he said. As an example, he cited China, which in recent years has made a tremendous leap in its development.
Valery Belsky, Deputy Chairman of the Council of the Republic:
“It is important, of course, to have safe technology. Already in the practical sphere, our enterprises have encountered refusals to update software, and there have even been cases of attempts to block such software, which could have led to the shutdown of the enterprise. This is unacceptable. But the policy in this area must be very balanced, because it is important to get a quality product. In some areas we did not have the competence, unfortunately.”
An example of a successful commercial project, which earned up to 2 billion dollars on the export of computer services, is the High Tech Park. But this is also the problem of HTP at this stage. The fact is that very few of the Park's companies were engaged in work for Belarus. But at the same time, large industrial enterprises, such as BELAZ, for example, developed their own IT division, which created those products that are in demand specifically in this area. And this is the direction, which can give a quick effect and development now, says deputy head of presidential administration Maxim Yermolovich.
"It is necessary that working conditions, including taxation, wage policy and other incentives - both financial and non-financial - should work with regard to these units just as they work at HTP. Such an instruction has been given by the President."
