Volozhin Region
Executive Committee

The ministerial consultations to discuss cooperation of the CIS member states in the information sector took place as a video conference with the participation of the plenipotentiary representatives of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and the staff of the CIS Executive Committee on 6 October, BelTA learned from the press service of the CIS Executive Committee.

The participants of the consultations exchanged information on the progress made to ensure information support of the events under Uzbekistan's presidency in the CIS in 2020 and agreed to continue such practice next year under the presidency of Belarus and in connection with the 30th anniversary of the CIS.

The participants of the event considered issues of interaction with new participants of the information space (bloggers, users of social networks), various aspects of information work amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the use of social networks to inform compatriots abroad. Participants also discussed the forms and methods of work of ministries of foreign affairs with representatives of national and foreign media.

“Belarus' proposal was supported to hold the next consultations on the interaction of the CIS states in the information sector in Minsk in 2021. It was decided to agree on the date and format of the event as part of working-level discussions,” the press service said.

It is essential to develop the manufacture of wooden products, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he heard out a report on the development of the wood processing, pulp and paper industry on 6 October, BelTA informs.

“During the election campaign I was speaking about it a lot when our opposition members were calling for reforms. These are the reforms – we need to develop and advance production relying on forestry resources,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

He remarked that Belarusian enterprises have already learned to make the so-called semi-finished products – pulp and paper. “Let's make, for example, cardboard to substitute imported cardboard from Poland, Germany. Let's make it here instead of exporting pulp and buying finished cardboard. We need to do it immediately. We need to install a machine to produce cardboard and packaging,” the president stressed.

According to the head of state, the majority of work in this area should be done next year. “Whatever the cost,” he said.

According to the Belarusian timber, woodworking, pulp and paper industry concern Bellesbumprom, the role of the forestry industry in the Belarusian industry has increased significantly after the modernization of basic wood processing, pulp and paper companies. The wood processing industry was increasingly vibrant, its output exceeded 20 million cubic meters in 2019.

The modernization of board production enterprises allowed processing low-grade wood. Its consumption will make up 5.2 million cubic meters in 2020. Modernized producers of fuel pellets will additionally process 2.8 million cubic meters of hardwood.

The launch of modernized wood processing complexes gave a significant boost to furniture manufacturers. Enterprises use local materials – wood boards – in the manufacture of cost-effective and in-demand furniture. In the past five years the number of furniture manufacturers doubled to exceed 1,300.

Bellesbumprom enterprises specialize in deep wood processing, make products with a high added value, and export more than 70% of the output. In 2020, in spite of the difficult coronavirus situation, Bellesbumprom enterprises managed to keep the production and export volumes stable. In January-August their export made up $377.9 million.

Belarusians have submitted about 350 proposals on amending the Constitutional over three days, Deputy Chairman of the Standing Commission on State Building, Local Government and Regulations of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus Viktor Svillo told the STV TV channel, BelTA has learned.

On 2 October the House of Representatives posted an announcement inviting the public to contribute their views on constitutional amendments. The proposals will be accepted till 25 October.

According to Viktor Svillo, the feedback was huge. “By midday on 5 October, there were already about 350 proposals from the public. The proposals are very interesting. Of course, these proposals were not formulated in a legally established manner. People just expressed their wishes. And the task of the parliament is to process all this. In this case, the parliament acts as an aggregator. All proposals that ordinary citizens send to us must be grouped and processed in a certain way. Subsequently, we should produce a certain output of a legal nature. However, these will be parliamentary proposals,” he said.

The MP thanked all people who send proposals. He stressed that the MPs will summarize and analyze the collected materials. “I would like to warn against disappointment those contributors who might not see their proposals. In one form or another they will be taken on board,” Viktor Svillo added.

The Urbany checkpoint is to be commissioned after renovations in November.

This information was aired by the Belarus 1 TV channel, BelTA informs.

The checkpoint is 93% ready. After the renovation, its capacity will almost quadruple. Now the checkpoint can handle 270 vehicles per day, after reopening it will be able to handle up to 1,000 vehicles.

The Verkhniy Terebezhov checkpoint is also under renovations. It is 70% ready. The checkpoint is planned to be commissioned in the first half of 2021. Now the checkpoint can handle 255 vehicles per day, after renovations it will be able to handle 900 vehicles.

“The head of state asked about efforts to improve infrastructure in other checkpoints. Of course, we are analyzing the situation, the traffic in various regions and highways trying to understand whether large-scale customs infrastructure will be in demand there,” Chairman of the State Customs Committee Yuri Senko said. He stressed that everything should be approached comprehensively, taking into account road repairs.

The chairman of the State Customs Committee underlined that the committee maintains close communication with transportation companies and road haulers in a bid to identify possible bottlenecks in border infrastructure. “We study their feedback and take it on board. Unfortunately, there is a problem of queues at the border. As a rule, these problems have to do with the actions of the neighboring states and are not connected with the work of the Belarusian side,” he added.

Due to the complicated epidemic situation and climbing coronavirus infection rates in a number of countries Belarus' Customs will continue taking preventive measures at the border in order to prevent the infection from reaching the country, BelTA learned from Chairman of the State Customs Committee of Belarus Yuri Senko.

The official commented on mass media reports about the Belarusian customs service allegedly cracking down on merchandise import by individuals. “The customs service fulfils all the sanitary norms a pandemic requires. Including in order to prevent the transportation of goods that can somehow influence the safety of people,” Yuri Senko explained. This is why the rules that allow natural persons to transport goods across the border that only they will use are in effect. “If they are intended for commerce, then we need the owner to pay the customs duty or the citizen can return with the goods or the goods can be put in storage. It is up to the citizens,” the official clarified. “Tougher rules have been enforced in many countries. For instance, you cannot import one sandwich into the European Union, they will force you to throw it away into a special container. So, every country protects its import, safety, and order. It is a mandatory condition.”

According to Yuri Senko, the restrictions primarily apply to food. “The goods on which various diseases and infections can be transported. Because not every piece of merchandise is disinfected at the border,” he noted.

The practice of monitoring the transportation of merchandise and the movement of heavy trucks using navigation devices (seals) continues in Belarus. The new practice makes drivers more disciplined. In the past the customs service detected over 30 various violations committed by truck drivers per day. The number does not exceed one per day after digital navigation devices (seals) were introduced.

Belarus' Customs expanded the use of these devices in August 2020. They are now used as an alternative to customs escort for expensive cargoes among other things. It allows reducing the relevant costs of shipping companies by ten times on the average. A customs escort to the Belarusian-Russian border costs about $300 while the use of a navigation seal costs as little as $30.

Belarus should make the best possible use of its renewable forest resources, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he heard out a report on the development of the country's woodworking, pulp and paper industries on 6 October, BelTA has learned.

“Today I would like to hear answers to a number of questions regarding the implementation of my instructions,” the president said at the beginning of the meeting.

According to the head of state, the woodworking industry is the most important and strategic one for the national economy. “Having considerable reserves of renewable forest resources, we need to ensure their rational use with maximum effect. We have made decisions to get all the added value here, at our enterprises. This issue needs to be resolved as soon as possible. A lot has been done for that,” he said.

The president said that the major woodworking enterprises had been upgraded. Projects in the pulp and paper industry are currently under implementation. Considerable financial resources have been injected in this area, he said.

“It should be noted that the invested funds work. The staff have been preserved at the enterprises, which would not exist today if not for modernization. Thousands of new jobs have been created. The volumes of timber processing and the export of high value-added products have been increased several times. As for the export, the media reports provide the figure of 75% of the output. This is a good thing. Other important things include the price for these products and the efficiency of production, i.e. profitability,” the head of state said.

According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, the industry shows a confident growth in general. The government pays the closest attention to the sector, with top officials being coordinators of its most important projects.

The most problematic investment projects were considered at the meeting hosted by the president in late 2019. These were the plants producing base paper in Shklov, coated and uncoated cardboard in Dobrush and bleached sulphate pulp in Svetlogorsk. Then, decisions were made on the implementation and completion of the projects.

“I would like to hear answers to the following questions. First, what is the general situation in the woodworking industry: export, financing, enterprises' performance, salaries. Has the coronavirus epidemic affected the industry?” asked the president. According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, in January-August 2020 Bellesbumprom's industrial output exceeded the last year's figures by about 2.5-3%. The export figures were higher, as well.

“The second question: what is the progress in the implementation of the most important investment projects? We have made decisions on Svetlogorsk, Dobrush and Shklov. Are these projects on schedule? Question number three: what prospects are there for the construction of paper and packaging facilities? We have discussed it with you already. Here are the reforms - we need to develop manufacturing based on forest resources,” the head of state stressed.

According to Bellesbumprom, the role of the forest sector in the Belarusian economy has increased significantly following the upgrade of basic woodworking and pulp and paper enterprises. The wood processing volume in the country considerably increased to exceed 20 million cubic meters in 2019.

Modernization of panel factories made it possible to put low-grade timber into use. The total volume of its consumption will reach 5.2 million cubic meters in 2020. Thanks to the development of bioenergy processing plants for fuel pellets, a total of 2.8 million cubic meters of hardwood will be additionally used by 2025.

Commissioning of the modernized woodworking complexes has significantly expanded the opportunities for furniture manufacturers. Companies began using domestic materials such as wood boards to produce economical and in-demand furniture. Over the past five years, the number of furniture manufacturers has doubled. Today there are over 1,300 of them in the country.

Bellesbumprom enterprises are engaged in deep processing of wood to produce high value-added products, more than 70% of which is supplied to foreign markets. This year, despite the difficult situation due to the coronavirus pandemic, Bellesbumprom's enterprises managed to maintain a stable production and sales level. In January-August, enterprises exported $377.9 million worth of products.

Belarus' healthcare system is ready for the second wave of COVID-19, Aleksandr Patseev the head of the main department of healthcare organization at the healthcare Ministry, told reporters in Minsk on 5 October, BelTA has learned.

“Recently, we have seen an increase in the incidence of the disease. Now we can say that this is the second wave. We see a similar picture in other countries of Europe and the world,” Aleksandr Patseev said.

According to him, Belarus' healthcare system is ready for the second wave of COVID-19. "We have tried and tested the entire system, worked outs all algorithms for providing medical assistance. The system has proven to be effective. We have clear separations of patient flows by the severity of the disease. The bed space is enough. The situation with oxygen points has improved considerably over the past few months. The healthcare system as a whole is ready for work,” Aleksandr Patseev noted.

Belarus Presid

“First of all, I want you to tell me about the performance of your agency. It will be useful for the assessment of the situation in our economy through the prism of customs services. You realize that the customs service is, more than any other agencies, a mirror of our economy. Are there any bottlenecks? How are we developing in these complicated conditions, first of all, involving the pandemic? In your opinion, what shall we do to keep the economy stable this year?” Aleksandr Lukashenko wondered.

The president also asked about the situation on the borders with Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and Ukraine. “I am especially curious about two Baltic states – Lithuania and Latvia. As you inform me, almost 40% of freight vehicles come from Lithuania and Latvia this year. This is a huge volume. If we take on this flow, logistics hubs of Lithuania will underperform by nearly a quarter,” the head of state said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said that Belarus and Russia were mulling over the relocation of Belarusian cargos (oil products, potash fertilizers and other goods) from Baltic ports to the Ust-Luga port. “What is the State Customs Committee thinking about the relocation of these cargos? What will it mean for our logistics centers? We have strong logistics centers. Many services, including for or economic operators and subjects of the EAEU countries are provided in Lithuania. But, as far as I know, we can provide these services to these freight carriers in Belarus. What do you think about it?” he asked.

Yuri Senko informed the president about the foreign trade statistics. In his words, 71 million tonnes of goods were transported through the Belarusian customs border with Baltic countries, Poland and Ukraine. This volume is 15% lower than in the same period of 2019. “Russia also influenced that, as its export of oil products to Western Europe fell by 30%. Our export and import fell by only 10%,” the chairman of the State Customs Committee said. “This is mostly railway transport. The situation at automobile border checkpoints has not almost changed, only at the beginning of the pandemic when the consumer capacity in Europe and the EAEU countries reduced. But all routes are being restored now.”

On contribution to Belarus' national budget

In January-September, the Belarusian national budget received Br6.1 billion worth of payments supervised by the State Customs Committee. The inflow fell by almost 8% from the same period of 2019. One of the reasons, according to the State Customs Committee, is the Russian tax maneuver. The decrease is largely attributed to export customs duties. If we exclude this position from calculations, we will find out that the revenues to the budget went up 5.3%, or Br230 million.

On law enforcement

This year customs services have already detected 210 crimes. These include 79 drugs trafficking attempts. Customs officers withdrew 95kg of drugs and 19,000 pills containing narcotic and psychotropic substances. Besides, the Belarusian customs services detected 73 economic crimes which incurred almost Br13.5 million of losses.

Law enforcement bodies opened three criminal cases involving the transportation of weapons, ammunition and objects of export control (parts of magazines for firing and hunting rifles, other weapons).

Customs bodies also detected 11 crimes involving money trafficking. Customs officers withdrew Br2.7 million in the equivalent from administrative law violators and offenders.

On customs infrastructure development

This year major funds have been allocated for the renovation of two border checkpoints Verkhny Terebezhov and Urbany. As of September, these projects were 70% and 92.6% complete.

According to the State Customs Committee, the modernization of these border checkpoints will allow increasing their daily throughput capacity by 1,375 cars.

Dear teachers, professors, educators, all educational workers of Minsk Oblast!

I sincerely congratulate you on your professional holiday - Teacher's Day!

A teacher is not only a profession, but also an honorable mission. After all, for each of your students you are a senior comrade, mentor and, along with your parents, a close person to whom you can always turn for kind advice and emotional support.

With your daily work, responsiveness and dedication, you set an example for children and adolescents, help them discover their abilities and talents, and find their purpose in life. And by developing the intellectual potential of schoolchildren, you are actually creating the future of our society.

The teaching staff of the Minsk region has always been distinguished by a high level of professionalism. And this is natural. Indeed, it is based on teachers, teachers and educators with an active civic position, devoted to their work and faithful to their duty. People who skillfully combine traditional approaches in teaching and are always open to innovations.

Thanks to you, dear teachers, more than one generation of creative and purposeful citizens has grown up in our region, who have become excellent parents, patriots of their country, real professionals in their chosen business. And today's schoolchildren demonstrate bright successes at international, republican competitions and olympiads, creative and sports competitions. This is your indisputable merit and contribution to the development of the central region and the whole of Belarus.

Dear teachers, industry veterans! Low bow to you for your work, patience, wisdom and selfless love for children. We value each of you very much and will do our best to ensure that the teaching profession always remains one of the most respected and honorable in our society.

I wish you all good health, peace and harmony. May students always meet your best expectations! And life presents only good surprises and allows you to always be on the wave of optimism, inspiration and happiness!

The Belarusian government projects GDP to increase by 1.8% in 2021, Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko said at a meeting of the Presidium of the Council of Ministers held on 1 October to discuss the country's draft social and economic development forecast, the monetary policy guidelines and the national budget for 2021, BelTA has learned.

“According to estimates, next year's economic growth is projected at 1.8%, and we plan to keep the current year's GDP at the level of 2019. Many developed countries are planning to reach the pre-crisis level only in 2022,” said Roman Golovchenko.

The government began working on the package of economic documents for 2021 three months ago. According to the prime minister, over the past few weeks there have been significant changes in the assessment of the development of the world economy, Belarus' trade partner countries, prices for marketable goods, exchange rates, which remain high volatile.

Roman Golovchenko said that the key parameters of government efficiency to be set by the head of state should reflect not the process, but the goal, which is to improve the living standards and quality of life. “The task is to work on reducing costs, increasing productivity and other quality indicators,” he explained.

The head of government added that the forecast for 2021 should be as realistic as possible, take into account the resource capacity of the economy, and rely on accurate external and internal conditions.

According to the draft documents, economic efficiency and profit will be among the integrated performance indicators of the vertical power structure. Roman Golovchenko asked the Economy Ministry to voice its position in favor of the chosen approaches, including the proposed new system of indicators.