Lukashenka: Director must go to jail, firm must be closed

The dictator proposes this method of struggling against intermediaries.

Lukashenka set a task to remove unnecessary intermediaries in supplying raw materials to Belarusian plants and selling finished products.

“We must solve this problem on other plants, in the whole region and in the country. It's time to get rid of the practice of mediation,” Lukashenka said Friday during a visit to Krichevtsementoshifer company, Interfax news agency reports.

“I've already mentioned the problem of running dishonest businesses, when firms supply something to your plant, and you [the director – Interfax] deal with them. The director must go to jail and the firm must be closed. No one will run these businesses,” the dictator said.

According to him, the director of a state-owned company, who allowed this to happen, must be dismissed and compensate for the damage. “No forgiveness regardless of the status you have,” Lukashenka warns.

During the visit to Krichevcementnoshifer branch, a theme of supplies of raw materials and parts, both imported and Belarusian, for cement production via intermediate firms was raised.

“It took place, but we took measures to stop this practice,” Belarusian minister of architecture and construction Anantoly Nichkasau said. The minister noted chains of intermediaries sometimes had 30 firm.

Lukashenka turned attention to the fact that supplying raw materials through intermediaries increased costs of finished goods. “If you buy raw materials at higher prices – and raw materials cost makes up 70% of production costs – you cannot compete in the market,” he said to Krichevcementnoshifer top managers. “If you are responsible for the company, you must struggle for every cent to save resources and cut costs,” Lukashenka said.