Lukashenko calls for coming to decision on Belarus' port capacities
12:28, 18 July
Photo: BelTA
It is necessary to finally decide what exactly needs to be done to create port capacities to transship Belarusian cargo – to build a terminal, a port or to upgrade an existing port - and immediately get down to work, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a meeting on 18 July, BelTA has learned.
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The head of state noted that this matter was already discussed in January of this year. The focus was on the transshipment of potash fertilizers. This matter will be revisited on 18 July. In addition to that, the supply of petroleum products will be discussed. “The areas of work have been identified, all the necessary decisions have been made. It's time to compare notes and, if necessary, to fine-tune and coordinate our further actions and plans,” the president said.
“The situation and the external environment are changing vary rapidly today. Yet, credit where credit is due, the Belarusian economy maintains momentum and keeps finding new opportunities under the sanctions,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed. “We must quickly respond to all challenges and ensure the delivery of export cargo to customers. It is crucial to take decisions fast,” he said.
In this regard, the head of state outlined a number of key talking points. One of them is the state of progress to create Belarus' own seaport capacities. “We were forced to leave traditional ports and now we use all ports of the Russian Federation to transship our cargo, which is about 20 million tonnes,” the president noted.
“Are there any appreciable results in this direction?” he continued. “Which ports are used to transship potash fertilizers and oil products, what are the problems in this regard? Do we have an understanding of how much potassium we can transship through the ports of the Russian Federation on acceptable terms?” the president asked.
There are alternative options in the northwestern region of Russia. “This should be a key issue,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted. According to him, now Belarus has two transshipment options - Murmansk and Primorsk. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages.
“It is necessary to finally decide what exactly needs to be done to create port capacities to transship Belarusian cargo – to build a terminal, a port or to upgrade an existing port - and immediately get down to work,” the head of state emphasized. “As far as I know, we are building and upgrading capacities somewhere near Leningrad. At the same time, we have made little headway near Murmansk,” he added.
The meeting also discussed a draft ordinance on the export of certain types of goods.
