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 in his speech at the general meeting of representatives of members of the Belarusian Consumer Cooperative Society, a BELTA correspondent reports.

"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 interest all economic entities in serving the rural population, to create incentive 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, retail chains to enforcing iron discipline in the Belkoopsoyuz system so that it exists and functions. "If we shake up the system, put expenses in order, change approaches to organizing trade, improve the management mechanism, we will succeed," he said.

The President drew attention to the fact that no entrepreneurs can replace the work of consumer cooperation in rural areas. For example, it is unacceptable when in a district center "five stores rub shoulders nose to nose on the same spot," competing with each other, while no one goes to the village. "Or they choose the most lucrative routes, to drive around the city, to skim the cream. Private traders are not particularly eager to go to the district borders where there are 10-20 residents, at best in the summer when summer residents have gathered there," Alexander Lukashenko outlined the problematic points. "Let's agree on this: all decisions on organizing trade are 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 trader wants to work under the same social conditions and in fair competition, let him take responsibility for the entire territory so that people are not in need of anything anywhere."

The President gave an example, stating that in Russia, consumer cooperation was initially ruined, and now they have come to their senses and are looking for opportunities to revive it. "And what then? The private sector cannot and does not want to solve all the issues there! It is unprofitable for them, and our ordinary people suffer. Therefore, I support Belkoopsoyuz every year and try to stir things up in every way. But one must also look at 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