Lukashenka reprimanded Tapuzidis for jamon in stores and ordered to check all retail chains
"They instantly became market traders for us, the richest people. And they forget that a common person, a peasant, sits in a combine harvester in forty-degree heat."
Pavel Tapuzidis. Photos here and throughout: BelTA
Alexander Lukashenka, at a meeting in Vileyka district, discussed the assortment in retail chains. The owner of the 'Korona' retail chain, Pavel Tapuzidis, was also present at the meeting.
"I understand that I am unpopular now with Tapuzidis and his colleagues from the retail chains. They instantly became market traders for us, the richest people. And they forget that a common person, a peasant, sits in a combine harvester in forty-degree heat.
The people we are talking about do not demand imported goods from us. They do not demand Spanish jamon. They demand ordinary meat be delivered [to village shops], dairy products. But they should be fresh, normal. We need to deliver normal bread," — quotes Lukashenka BelTA.
"What is Belarusian — what we produce — must be available. Period!" — he demanded.
Minister of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade Artur Karpovich reported that over the year about a thousand agreements have been concluded with retail chains and manufacturers for the promotion of domestic goods.
However, the State Control Committee believes that retail chains approached these agreements formally and sell many imported goods.
Lukashenka instructed the leadership of the Administration and the State Control Committee to conduct an inspection.
"This should be the last conversation. I warn all of you and the heads of the retail chains."