Why did collective West's plan to shut down Belarusian plants fail?

They created difficulties for us, but did not consider the opportunities. This week has brought us closer to a solution to the sanctions question by using the method of substituting a variable. 

If we produce by ourselves without external assistance, we guarantee stable functioning of the economy by closing the issue of imports. So, Belarusian enterprises are currently undergoing a real readjustment. Belarus is a pioneer in this respect, from time to time a number of our companies have already had to work in such conditions, and we started staking on the maximum localization of production long before all these events. 

The President's working schedule this week is almost entirely devoted to import substitution and the work of our enterprises under sanctions. 

"You can put pressure where there is something to put pressure on. If you did not compete with them, do not interfere with American, Japanese manufacturers (we are competitors for them, we get in their way). We are a high-tech nation. We are capable of competing, and we will compete. And we have everything for our economy to hold out," said the President.

Preliminarily, the enterprises of the Ministry of Industry are planning to produce $4.5 billion worth of import-substituting goods by the year, additionally reducing the currency costs.

Belarusian and Russian companies work together. The problem is common and we are looking for a way out together. A clear plan has been developed and 8 import-substituting investment projects have already been approved. On the eve the Minister of Industry revealed some details. 

Peter Parkhomchik, Minister of Industry of Belarus:

"These are different plants: this includes BelAZ, MTZ, the Bearing Plant, Gomselmash and a very large cross-section of the Amkodor company. Russia is ready to provide funds for all this and is ready to support us in creating the corresponding workplaces in Belarus."

The export geography is big: China, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, the whole Asian region. Our goods are waiting there, and there is no need to persuade anyone. Moreover, the course to the East is not a forced measure in response to Western pressure. And, of course, Russia is the main market for our goods. And again it is mutually beneficial! 

Delegations of Russian regions have been visiting Belarus every week lately. They hold negotiations at the Palace of Independence, at enterprises, travel to regions, negotiate new projects and supplies.