Economist: The Moment Is Coming When The Truth Will Come Out

What is the uniqueness of the new EU sanctions against Lukashenko's regime.

The European Union has agreed on the 18th package of sanctions against Russia and Belarus, including a complete ban on transactions with Belarusian banking structures, which previously concerned only Swift. The sanctions affected Belagroprombank, Bank Dabrabyt, Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus and Belinvestbank.

The economist said how it would affect Belarusians and Belarusian enterprises.

- I don't think that an ordinary Belarusian often travels to the EU and spends money from his bank card there. These sanctions are primarily aimed at legal companies, which are serviced through these banks," says Alice Ryzhichenko in the air of "Euroradio".

The economist emphasizes that we're talking about state or private-public companies, which are serviced through these banks. At the same time, Belarusians, who do business in the country, according to Ryzhichenko, more often prefer private banks.

- And such banks, which are served in the EU, are left in Belarus. So, I think, ordinary Belarusians will not be affected by these sanctions, or they will not suffer much from them - they will take cash in the EU or open an account in another bank, which is not difficult.

As for legal enterprises, they, according to the economist, will look for workarounds.

- But, it should be remembered that any such way is an increase in the cost of products manufactured at these enterprises. Sooner or later the question will arise: is it profitable for us to produce it?

- Today these goods have only one buyer - Russia. There is no other market where you can come with some shells and sell them. Everything here is produced exclusively for the needs of the Russian Federation. And Russia has the ability to dictate prices. Realizing that they are the only possible buyers, Belarus will be forced to agree.

At the same time, the expert continues, the enterprises will find themselves in the following situation: on the one hand, there is a shortage of personnel - employees must be kept by high salaries, on the other hand, it is necessary to increase production in order to keep up with state defense orders, and on the third hand, the cost of components, intermediate imports, raw materials is rising.

- As a result, it is possible to have products that will be unprofitable to produce. Expenses and incomes will not match. Therefore, even if some workarounds are established, it will still be a blow to organizations, because the cost of production they produce will increase.

- Resources of enterprises and the state budget are not unlimited. Sooner or later there will come a moment when the margin will disappear altogether, and it will be necessary to withdraw funds from the state budget to keep these enterprises afloat - either to lay off people or reduce wages.

It is impossible to say that all this is to our advantage, but it brings closer the moment when the truth will be revealed, and more and more people will understand what is happening in the Belarusian economy.

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