Why Is Lukashenka So Afraid For Atlant?

The public sector will be begging for money endlessly.

Visiting the Shapchytsa-Ahra farm, which is under the patronage of Minsk Atlant, Lukashenka became concerned about the fate of the household appliances manufacturer:

- Let's take a closer look at what is going on. I want to know what’s up with our "white" equipment.

According to Lukashenka, he has "inner suspicion and fear" for Atlant. Perhaps, the company will be provided with state support to encourage its development, his press service informs. Now this issue is only being considered.

As economist Barys Zhaliba noted in his comment to Salidarnasts, today Atlant does not look like a company that is in acute need of state support:

- Now, it seems to me, the company is more or less afloat. Its products are in demand among customers. At the same time, Atlant's competitors are Samsung, LG and other famous manufacturers. His refrigerators and washing machines are in demand. This is also due to lower prices and acceptable quality.

At the same time, the interlocutor notes, a tradition of asking Lukashenka for help in a personal meeting has long been established among the heads of enterprises. Moreover, such requests may be made in different ways:

- Even judging by what he says, wherever he goes, the local authorities are trying to ask for something. Local authorities may talk about some prospects, which are hampered by certain difficulties. And to achieve something, they need help. It looks logical on the part of company managers: why not take advantage of the opportunity?

Will the state support help the enterprise? The expert thinks this practice is harmful:

- We talk a lot about state support. There is an established opinion that it should be reduced. This is already being done. The government has announced that it will reduce this support by 10% annually. But I think we need to act more decisively. We need to end with support and start working according to market rules. Today the enterprises have the following attitude: they will help us in any case. They will be begging for money endlessly.