Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko instructed to increase the export of food, including dairy products. He said this at a meeting on the development of the Belarusian dairy industry on February 3. "Our goal is to gain maximum benefit from the export of high quality dairy products", he said.
«Milk is not just a commodity for Belarus, but an essential factor in the economy and politics. We have made tremendous efforts and resources for the dynamic development of the dairy industry and have achieved good results. The targets for the new five-year period are even more complicated. The country must reach the level of production of 10 million tons of milk and double the export of dairy products by 2015 — there are markets,» the presidential press service quotes the head of state.
Alexander Lukashenko said that milk production had grown by almost 35% in the country for five years, providing the domestic market. More than 50% of milk, supplied for processing, goes to exports (4 million tons in 2010). «And the demand for it is very high in world markets. The geography of export is expanding. Today we have a queue for dairy products. They don’t even ask the prices,» the President, BelTA informs.
Food Shortages Caused Riots in North Africa, Lukashenko
«Processing of agricultural products is acquiring strategic importance not only for Belarus, but for any country today. Two billion people in the world are starving. All the riots, occurring today in the world, including countries in North Africa, are caused by the food shortages, as what they have is not enough for 75% of the population of these State,» says the head of state.
The President noted that he had «repelled all attempts of privatization of the industries, providing food security of our country.» «It was clearly and unambiguously stated: we must deal with it ourselves,» said Alexander Lukashenko.
Lukashenko Threatens to Break Relations off with Danone
In addition, the Head of State said that Belarus might stop cooperating with the company Danone Unimilk unless it fulfilled its obligations. «If you don’t follow my instructions in the first quarter, you will not work in the market of Belarus anymore,» said Alexander Lukashenko.
Alexander Lukashenko said he would not allow the export of cheap milk products from the country. «We let this company in on our dairy market in the most favorable terms. But I’ve strongly warned about exports of low added value products. Moreover, the company itself has promised to create modern milk processing enterprises and to develop its own resource base. However, the implementation of these promises hasn’t yet seen,» he said.
«I’ve been deeply outraged. You’ve forgotten that you’re not in Russia, but in Belarus. And the issues of corruption, issues of the carve-up, pressure and agreements outside of my decisions are unacceptable,» says the president, noting that he knows everything, «even what you think.»
Head of State recalls how he’s «warned that no one will take either a penny from you, or any bribes, but you work honestly.» «You’ve decided: let the president speak, but we’ll have our own way. You’re vastly mistaken!» Alexander Lukashenko said.
