Volozhin Region
Executive Committee

In Minsk region, as of the morning of August 17, 92% of the area was harvested, according to the Committee on Agriculture and Food of Minsk Oblast Executive Committee.

In total, 1805 thousand tons of grain and leguminous crops have been threshed with an average yield of 40 c / ha.

The leaders are the Slutsk region with 146.5 thousand tons of ground, followed by Kopyl region - 145.5 thousand tons and Nesvizh region - 140.6 thousand tons.

The best in terms of productivity are Nesvizh, Kletsk, Minsk, Dzerzhinsk regions, indicators in the range of 55-67 c/ha.

It is also worth noting that some farms have already completed grain harvesting. In Nesvizh and Kletsk regions, agrarians processed 100% of the area - 140.6 thousand tons and 93.7 thousand tons of grain, respectively. And in the Stolbtsy district - 78.5 thousand tons.

The Belarusian air carrier Belavia will launch charter flights to Tunisia on 20 August, BelTA learned from Belavia's Facebook account.

“Charter flights will be operated to Enfidha (from Minsk, Brest, Gomel and Grodno), Monastir (from Minsk and Vitebsk), and also to Djarba (from Minsk and Mogilev),” the message reads.

Belavia recommends to address travel agencies for details.

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko has commented on the attempts to foment tensions among workers in Belarus and warned that strikes can have a devastating impact on domestic companies in the future.

Aleksandr Lukashenko made this statement as he hosted a session to discuss the construction industry on 14 August, BelTA has learned.

“First of all I would like to say that I am still alive and not abroad, contrary to what our nationalists say. Today is 14 August and we are here to discuss the work of the construction industry,” the head of state said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko stated that there are attempts to stir up tensions among workers. “You know and feel it very well. Of course, workers are the backbone of our country. You have known my position on it. During the pandemic I virtually banned layoffs; I did not allow throwing people into the street. It was hard, but it is still difficult. Construction industry workers are doing a great job; the situation in this sector is better; all of them are busy. However, nevertheless, there are attempts to inflame workers. Our position is clear: we were not trying to coerce anyone to do anything during the difficult pandemic period. We should not hold anyone in this situation, either. If people want to work, let them do it. Here is work, go ahead and start working. If a person does not want to work, we cannot make them do it,” the president said.

The head of state illustrated possible consequences of strikes using specific examples. If Belaruskali suspends operations for several days, this will play into the hands of their major competitors from Russia and Canada. “If they go on strike for two days, their competitors – Russians and Canadians – will give thanks to God and promptly supply to the market what they want to supply,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The same will happen with machinery producers, like MTZ and MAZ. “It is up to you. If you do not make 10 tractors today and if you do not supply them to the market, tomorrow Germans and Americans will come. Russians will also bring their machinery. They will also give thanks to God,” the president noted.

He emphasized that the global economy has just started to recover after the pandemic-related restrictions. “Everyone is fighting for these markets. If we stop, we will never be able to promote our manufacturing industry. Never! We will be pushed into this mire. People should come to understand it: if you want to go on strike - do it, if you want to work – go ahead,” the president said.

“They told me that at MAZ or MTZ around 20 people decided to speak their mind, stopped working and left. Their supervisor told them: okay, guys, you can go, I have enough people here, your salary will go to them. After that, these people returned back to work,” the head of state said.

“You should explain to people that this is the only chance to save their companies. If you save your company, you will be able to provide for your family. You can take a walk in the street. There are thousands of people lining roads. You can join them for a walk. However, the money they will give you there, if any, will last for two days. We know them; we have showed them. The money will be enough for two days. What will be next?” Aleksandr Lukashenko asked.

“This should be explained to people, including to the construction industry empolyees, because construction workers are advanced and active people. However, we should explain to them what will come next. Our construction industry has gone through many challenges. We pulled them from the mire several times. They got orders, work, growth. Go ahead and work,” the president added.

The loaf of the Central region, as of the morning of August 14, weighs 1,648,040 tons, i.e. removed 84% of the area.

It should be noted that some farms have already completed grain harvesting. In Nesvizh and Kletsk regions, the agrarians cultivated 100% of the area - 140 630 and 93 759 tons of grain, respectively.

In addition to Nesvizh region, in the top three Kopyl region, farmers collected 137 319 tons. And Slutsk - 130,719 tons.

The top-list in terms of yield is also headed by Nesvizh region. There, grain growers collect 67 c/ha, then Kletsk - 56 c/ha. The leaders are Minsk and Dzerzhinsk regions, where grain yield is 54 kg/ha. The average yield in Minsk region is 40 c / ha.

The Belavia national air carrier has extended suspension of flights to a number of destinations due to a suspension of international flights in a number of countries due to the coronavirus situation, BelTA learned from the official website of the airline.

Flights to Vienna will be suspended till 15 August, to Riga – till 16 August, to Larnaca – till 31 August, to Ashgabat till 1 September.

Flights to all destinations in Russia will be suspended till 21 August (Voronezh, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod till 24 October), to all destinations in Georgia – till 31 August.

Customers who purchased tickets for these travel dates will be able to apply for a refund or to reschedule the flight till 30 March 2021. Tickets can be refunded and flights can be rescheduled at company's offices and customer service centers. Customers will be able to change the date of travel only once.

The economy of the country and its national security depend on the power and reliability of Belarusian energy sector enterprises, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at the meeting held on 13 August to discuss topical issues of the fuel and energy complex, BelTA informs.

“Let's try to see the full picture of the current operation and development prospects of this strategic industry – the fuel and energy complex. The entire economy and national security of our country depend on their reliability and power. The events of late 2019 and early 2020 showed it when we had to fight for a barrel of oil and a cubic meter of gas, which are now in plenty on the market,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.

The president remarked that the state had invested a lot of money in the modernization of the energy sector, including oil refineries. Right now these enterprises are as technologically advanced as enterprises in leading European countries. “Similar enterprises in Europe have the same technological level as our enterprises,” he said.

On commissioning the Belarusian nuclear power plant

“We are currently implementing the biggest investment project in the country's history, which is the construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant. The construction of the first power-generating unit has been completed. Another crucial stage is still ahead – it is the inclusion of the nuclear power plant in the energy system of the country and the operation of the first power-generating unit at full capacity,” the head of state noted. According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, he is going to visit the Belarusian nuclear power plant and to take part in the inauguration ceremony.

He asked Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich about the readiness of the existing infrastructure to work in new conditions, about tariff forecasts and the possibility to reduce them for all categories of consumers. “This pertains to electricity,” the president specified.

The head of state also addressed the government. In particular, he asked how the additional volume of electricity which will emerge in Belarus soon will be used. “Who will buy it and how will we use it? What are the prospects of electricity export?” Aleksandr Lukashenko wondered.

On developing the petrochemical industry

The president also remarked that the modernization of Belarusian oil refineries – Naftan and Mozyr Oil Refinery - will be completed soon. He asked Chairman of Belneftekhim Concern Andrei Rybakov to report on the forecasts of the delivery and processing of oil by the end of the year and on the plans for 2021, on the stability of agreements concerning the alternative delivery of oil and gas to Belarus.

Another issue on the agenda is the development of infrastructure for the storage of oil and oil products. “What is the progress in the construction of a link between oil refineries? What is the progress in the modernization of these plants?” the head of state wondered. “We have specified the terms. Naftan should get new products in a month. I want to see these products with my own eyes. Welding works and installation of high-pressure pipelines should be completed at Mozyr Oil Refinery at the same time. What is the state of affairs here?”

Aleksandr Lukashenko added that the strategy to develop the petrochemical industry till 2030 is being implemented in Belarus. In this context, he asked the government what they were going to do with troubled enterprises of Belneftekhim Concern.

Three regions of Minsk Oblast have crossed the mark of 110.000 tons of threshed grain, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food said.

Agrarians of Nesvizh region threshed over 135 thousand tons of grain. In the Kopyl region - 122 thousand tons, in Slutsk - 111 thousand tons.

Among the leaders in terms of yield are Nesvizh District - 66 c / ha, Kletsk - 56 c / ha and Dzerzhinsk - 54 c / ha.

In total, 73% of the area was harvested in the region. About 1.44 million tons of grain and leguminous crops (without corn, buckwheat, millet) have been threshed with an average yield of 40 c / ha.

The Belarusian national air carrier Belavia will resume scheduled flights to Almaty and Nur Sultan on 17 August, BelTA learned from the airline's Facebook account.

Flights to Almaty will be operated on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Departure time from Minsk is at 20.05, arrival time in Almaty is at 3.55. Flight to Minsk will be performed on Thursdays and Sundays, with departure at 5.10 and arrival at 7.20.

Belavia will fly to Nur Sultan on Thursdays and Sundays at 20.15 with arrival at 3.15. Return flights will be operated on Mondays and Fridays at 4.15, with arrival in Minsk at 5.35 (the time for all airports is local). The company is also planning to increase the frequency of flights.

Belavia recommends checking travel restrictions before taking the flight.

Tickets are available at the website of the airline www.belavia.by.

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko convened a meeting to discuss topical issues on 12 August, BelTA informs.

“Before the election we agreed that we would meet a few days after the election campaign to discuss topical issues. It is clear that the priority tasks for the government bodies, in particular, for the Security Council (perhaps, especially for this agency) are to ensure security of our people, to protect the constitutional order, and to guarantee the normal operation of state administration bodies,” the head of state said.

He stressed that the economy remains a priority. “Therefore, the government needs to take all necessary additional measures, if needed, to ensure the smooth operation of the economy,” the president said.

“All people who want to work should have jobs and salaries. There should be job opportunities for those currently unemployed,” the Belarusian leader stressed. “The backbone of these so-called protests are people with the criminal past and currently unemployed people. Without jobs they just keep wandering around the city. Therefore, I strongly ask everybody to find a job.”

“I also want to warn some of our, mildly speaking, ‘bohemian' citizens: fake employment certificates will not do. Everything should be done in an honest and decent manner,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

He urged law enforcement bodies and public authorities to ensure the fulfillment of these instructions.

The participants of the meeting also discussed ideology, personnel policy, and work of mass media.

The Belarusian air carrier Belavia has extended suspension of air travel to Russia till 21 August, BelTA learned from the website of the airline.

Flights to Voronezh, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod have been suspended till 24 October. Suspension of the flights to Larnaca, Cyprus has been extended till 31 August.

Customers who purchased tickets for these travel dates will be able to apply for a refund or to reschedule the flight till 30 March 2021. Tickets can be refunded and flights can be rescheduled at company's offices and customer service centers.