Lukashenko instructed to develop a nationwide concept for serving the rural population

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has instructed to develop a nationwide concept for serving the rural population. He announced this during his speech at a general meeting of representatives of members of the Belarusian Union of Consumer Societies, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.

"The time has come to develop a nationwide concept for serving the rural population. People who work the land should not be in need of anything," the President said. "I expect concrete proposals from the government regarding regions and settlements with a population of up to 200 people. It is necessary to incentivize all economic entities to serve the rural population and create stimulating conditions. And such a giant as Belkoopsoyuz will have a special role here," the President said.

Alexander Lukashenko noted that he receives various proposals for organizing trade in rural areas, from transferring unprofitable stores to private owners and retail chains to enforcing strict discipline within the Belkoopsoyuz system so that it exists and functions. "If we shake up the system, put our costs in order, change approaches to trade organization, and improve the management mechanism, we will succeed," he said.

The President pointed out that no entrepreneurs can replace the work of consumer cooperatives in rural areas. For example, it is unacceptable when five stores in a district center "rub shoulders nose to nose" in the same spot, competing with each other, while no one goes to the village. "Or they choose the most lucrative routes, driving around the city to skim the cream. Private businesses are not particularly eager to go to the district borders where there are 10-20 residents, at best in the summer when summer residents gather there," Alexander Lukashenko outlined the problematic issues. "Let's agree on this: all decisions on organizing trade will be made based on the interests of the population. And the key figure here will be the chairman of the district executive committee. If a private entity wants to work under the same social conditions and in fair competition, let them take responsibility for the entire territory so that people are not in need of anything anywhere."

The President gave an example that in Russia, consumer cooperation was initially destroyed, and now they have come to their senses and are looking for an opportunity to revive it. "And what's the result? The private sector cannot and does not want to solve all the issues there! It's unprofitable for them, and our ordinary people suffer. Therefore, I support Belkoopsoyuz every year and try to stir things up in every way possible. But one must also consider the costs. Together with the local authorities, calculate your capabilities, draw up an appropriate business plan," the Belarusian leader instructed.

He demanded that the government and the Committee of State Control take all decisions of the current meeting under special control.

Source: belta.by