Polish experts: Inefficient economy of Lukashenka will collapse
13- 30.11.2010, 9:03
The reason for the current problems in Belarus – is that Lukashenka is in power, according to Polish experts.
In a study “Belarus lost a generation”, held by the Polish Foundation “Forum of Civic Development” (FOR), it is said: the prolonged absence of reforms, the relatively low household incomes and the destabilization of the national economy are the main problems in Belarus, BelaPAN reports with reference to the Polish Press Agency.
According to the analysis performed by FOR, 20 years after the collapse of the Soviet Union the “economic gap” formed between Belarus and Poland: Belarusian average salary is three times lower than the Polish one and 30% less than the minimum wage in Poland. Life expectancy in Belarus is two years shorter than in Poland.
On November, 25 the PR Specialist at FOR Foundation Paulina Chylińska presented the results of the study to the public in Warsaw. She reminded reporters that the foundation was established by the organizer of Polish economic reform, Leszek Balcerowicz in 2006. FOR is engaged in educational work in the field of economy in Poland, but also pays attention to the economic problems of other countries.
Chairman of the Polish Center for Social and Economic Research of Belarus (CASE) Serge Naudorski said during the press conference that the cause of the current problems in the neighboring country is a perennial lack of reform. He explained that the growth rate of real wages in Belarus increased at the end of 1980.
“Therefore, the Socialists, who came to power in early 1990, saw no reason to change anything, as happened in Poland after 1989, where the economy had been reformed,” - the expert said.
According to Naudorski, another reason for the lack of reform was the fact that Alyaksandr Lukashenka came to power, as after his victory subsidies from Russia increased.
“Thus, the Belarusian economy, is a socialist and inefficient one, did not collapse. Duty-free trade Between Russia and Belarus was introduced, and natural resources such as oil and gas were sold to Belarus at low prices”, - the head of CASE said.
However, according to Naudorski, Russian subsidies will disappear soon, as Russia seeks to join the World Trade Organization, which requires the introduction of market prices for all goods and services.
