When Will Lukashenka Put on the Luch Watch and Change Maybach?

It is easy to do on paper.

- I will no longer sew suits from some imported fabric, but I will buy it here," Aliaksandr Lukashenka promised when he saw new "worthy" fabrics OAO Kamvol became familiar with.

Does it turn out the dictator wears suits made of Belarusian fabrics only?

What other goods of domestic production should the ruler use? Zautra.by addressed the issue to economist Leu Marholin.

- The reaction of Italian tailors who sew his suits is questionable. I'm afraid they will not agree to accept the Belarusian fabrics, the economist Leu Marholin assesses the statement of the Belarusian dictator. - Then he will have to buy ready-made Belarusian suits in our department stores. However, it is doubtful as well: you can buy Belarusian clothes made of imported fabric.

- Has Kamvol really become such a modern enterprise the official media say about?

- One needs just only familiarize oneself with financial statements. At the end of the year the Ministry of Finance will publish official financial data for the year. If it is really such a unique enterprise, then it will have a high profit and profitability. We will see.

- How much are modernization projects successful in the country as a whole?

- Our experience shows that the state cannot successfully modernize enterprises. Over the past 10 years, there have been many attempts in industry, agriculture, and construction sphere, but there are no any successful examples.

- What example, except suits, could the ruler submit or voice to encourage his subordinates to use products of domestic production?

- The simplest thing that he could do is to buy shoes of Belarusian production, although it is not that bad, and precisely the Luch watch. Now he has a great opportunity to drive Jeely, not Maybach or Mersedes, and it would be great because his personal vehicle could have been assembled with a special care. So there are a lot of opportunities for Lukashenka.

As part of import substitution Belarus produces a great number of products including medicines. Here, please, you can use all Belarusian products and set an example for others. Particularly with regard to common things captured on camera.

- Why are "servants of the people" in no hurry to use domestic products?

- Because products do not meet the increasing demands of quality. And since officials unlike most ordinary Belarusians have a choice, they choose what is best in accordance with their financial capabilities.

- Is it possible to make officials use products of Belarusian production?

In theory, it is easy to do. There should be special shops for them, where they could buy only Belarusian products, only Belarusian industrial goods and receive only Belarusian services. This is the only way out.

- Does the policy of import substitution contribute to the Belarusian economy?

- No, because it is carried out at the expense of state-owned enterprises, and they are not able to meet such programs at all. Second, the policy of import substitution creates certain preferential terms for Belarusian enterprises, an artificial preferential environment. Only competition can force an enterprise to move forward.

There should not be any artificial import substitution, since it is impossible to produce all goods and services of equally good quality. When there is the majority of private enterprises in the country, then those sectors of the economy develop first which render competitive industrial and agricultural products, and services. And this it the only option when the country moves forward.