The Belarusian economy has to work in difficult conditions, against the background of unjustified sanction pressure from the West. For greater flexibility and efficiency, the President signed a decree which gives the Council of Ministers broad powers: from support of the real sector to abandoning non-priority budget expenditures.
"The budget is an indicator of the functioning of the economy, and in general the state of affairs in the country. Therefore, I would like to hear what measures have been taken by the government, as it is fashionable for financiers to say, to consolidate the budget? What have we done to develop the economy, the real sector, and how well the budget is balanced as a result of all our measures?
The second question is an assessment of the budget revenues, that is, our budget revenues in connection with the measures taken in the context of the frantic pressure of the West on the economy and the credit and financial system of the country. What is the possible deficit of our budget this year, and at what expense are we going to cover this deficit? And most importantly, for the sake of which we are meeting here, for the people. And these are the salaries, the area of responsibility of the budget is our public sector workers and, of course, our pensioners.
The budget is like a mirror, it highlights all our problems and positive sides today. I invited the Chairman of the National Bank so that those of you who are present here, who basically deal with economic and financial issues in our country, understood that economy is a priority. This is important: both the exchange rate of the national currency, the ratio of the rates of our national currency to other currencies. But the most important thing economy.
I am informed and I was even a little surprised, but rejoiced that our budget is adding up in the first quarter, we even added a little over a percent. But that doesn't mean we should relax, because there will be more pressure against us all the time.”
The head of the state also inquired about the budget revenues under the frenzied pressure of the West on the economy and the credit and financial system of Belarus. "What is the possible deficit of our budget this year and at what expense are we going to cover the deficit? And, most importantly, in the name of what we are meeting here? - for the sake of people. And these are our salaries, our state employees, and, of course, retirees. So the budget, like a mirror, highlights all our problems and achievements today," said the President.
Yuri Seliverstov, Minister of Finance of Belarus:
“On the whole, in the first quarter, the budget was handled within the planned parameters; as a result, the republican budget revenues received Br6.7 billion, or Br1.1 billion more than in the same period last year.”
The budget priorities include the income of the population, national defense and security funding, purchase of medicines and support of agriculture. The President was interested in an objective picture of the budget. Despite the sometimes divergent views of the National Bank and the government on financial issues, it is important to make balanced decisions, to do everything to make the economy work. At the same time it was a question of budget consolidation. Simply put, it was about gathering everything into one fist: focusing revenues on the goals we set for ourselves as much as possible.
Nikolai Snopkov, First Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus:
There is one requirement from the leader of our country, Alexander Lukashenko, to the government, including with regard to today's budget issue. This is the well-being of people. That is, despite all the difficulties and the difficult situation, the government should primarily pay attention to the people. That is, the economy is not for the sake of the economy, but the economy is for the sake of people. This requirement is fully implemented in the budgetary sphere.
"People should receive wages, benefits, pensions. Of course, this is what the government must provide, despite all the difficulties that arise from the sanctions. Social benefits, pensions and salaries will be provided on time and in full, said Nikolai Snopkov.
Ministry of Finance of Belarus: National budget implemented as planned, people' incomes are a priority
22 апреля 2022












