A number of factors will help achieve GDP growth in 2023. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement in his Address to the nation and the parliament on 31 March, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “This year we have to achieve the growth of the gross domestic product of about 4% as the five-year program stipulates. How can we achieve that? We know how.”
The head of state stressed that now is the time for initiatives and active actions. “Only unconventionally thinking executives, enthusiasts can move industries and economy branches forward. We need bold people, who are not afraid of taking responsibility, who are not afraid of going beyond limits of instructions if business needs require it,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.
Science is the second important factor. “Science should play a noticeable role in the development of the country, to put it mildly. It is necessary to elevate the role of science by a lot, including the role of scientists. We shouldn’t have to spur on scientists, they should move industries forward towards new technological paradigms amid tough competition,” Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized.
Thirdly, import substitution and increasing the share of innovative manufacturing represent the most important tasks. “We must not be dependent on whims of Western political elites, who limit the freedom of civilized business. It is a matter of national security. There is a large field for the realization of the most daring designs of Belarusian scientists,” Aleksandr Lukashenko pointed out.
Fourthly, the Belarusian leader believes that much more attention should be paid to the fulfillment of economic programs of the Union State of Belarus and Russia. “They are designed to support a unified system of priorities of development of the scientific and technical space of our countries. Today we successfully work in the sphere of space technologies, healthcare, biotechnologies, mechanical engineering, laser equipment, microelectronics, agribusiness technologies. It is high time we stopped using someone else’s nuts and bolts and start making truly our own products. Including products of the Union State,” he said.
The head of state mentioned digitization as the fifth factor. “The development of Belarusian software and its deployment should become an unconditional priority for all the organizations that are involved in the relevant business,” the head of state stressed.
Investments represent the sixth factor. Aleksandr Lukashenko said it is necessary to seriously invest in manufacturing. “This year we just have to reverse the investment trend of the last few years,” the Belarusian leader stated. He also believes it is necessary to offer a package of additional guarantees for responsible investors. “For instance, direct purchases of products by the government, reimbursement of some of the capital outlays, the creation of readily available manufacturing sites, of infrastructure,” the head of state said.