Lukashenko: In 2023 we have to not only restore GDP level, but also turn to growth

In 2023, we have not only to compensate for the GDP decline of the last year, but to turn to growth. This was stated by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at the meeting of the Council of Ministers on the results of economic performance in 2022 and the solution of urgent tasks of socio-economic development in 2023, BelTA informs.

Chairperson of the National Statistical Committee Inna Medvedeva presented a report during the session. She informed about the work of the economy in 2022 and the final indicators, as well as shared the statistics on topical issues.

While reacting to her presentation, the head of state noted that a GDP decline of about 4 percent is a lot. "If it was 1-1.2 percent - both politically and from all sides it would be more or less. We have to restore and surpass all that this year," stressed Alexander Lukashenko. - In general it seems to be working well, but how many enterprises, how many thousands of people are not doing well? How many people are there, in the "basement", with low indicators in the economy? So hiding behind general, average figures won't work."

The President also drew attention to the overcrowding of warehouses with the produced equipment. "Ministers, heads of enterprises persuade that "we are creating a reserve here, as usual, at the beginning of the year" and so on. This stock is dead money in storage. There can be no justification."

The President also criticized the work on the selection of loans, noting that the money for projects is ready to be allocated, but there are no actual projects. And when the Russians say, "Belarusians, give us projects. A billion and a half dollars - give us the projects", we failed to get the projects for a billion and a half," said the President.