Lukashenko notes decline in potash, petroleum product sales, says manual control needed

MINSK. May 30 (Interfax) - Belarus will have to supply potash by bags and diesel fuel by barrels under the current circumstances, and every contract will need manual control, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said.

"Law is law, but we will have to supply potash by bags or diesel fuel by barrels under the current situation. We will have to roll up our sleeves and manually control every contract. That has to be done by everyone, from a specialist to the prime minister, and you should call for the president whenever that is necessary," Lukashenko said at a meeting on a bill upgrading the socioeconomic policy in Minsk on Monday.

Lukashenko noted a decline in the physical amount of sold potash and petroleum products, which affected the overall results of manufacturing industries (where they account for 13%).

"Please note that these commodities are extremely important for the global market, and their prices have been skyrocketing," the presidential press service quoted Lukashenko as saying.

The lesser potash and petroleum product exports have also affected transport and wholesale trade, while the other Belarusian industries achieve their results 100% or higher.

"I have no doubt we will sort things out with both oil and potash," Lukashenko said.

Manual control of certain matters is relevant during crises, he added.

Domestic enterprises have been bumping into external barriers, Lukashenko said.

"They affect every stage of the manufacturing process. Please note that difficulties are not a reason to panic. Yet we should not expect the situation is resolve itself either," he said.