Meeting with Council of Ministers

Digital technology should make people's life better, enhance their wellbeing, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he spoke at the meeting with the Council of Ministers on 13 January.

One of the issues brought up at the meeting was a draft decree to set up a new state body, the Digital Development and Communications Ministry, on the basis of the existing Communications and Informatization Ministry.

The head of state said: “There should be no rush associated with any latest trends. Any changes we are going to do should be necessary. Most importantly, these changes must be demanded by society and the economy.”

“On the one hand, thanks to the rapid development of digital technology, the world has indeed begun to change very fast. We need to take full advantage of these processes. On the other hand, we have to remember and understand that the state has to be proactive in making decisions on the regulation of this sector. Today we will carefully consider this issue,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.

According to the president, Belarus has necessary basic infrastructure, including a well-developed data transmission network, reliable data processing and storage centers and modern means of information security.

“The digital sector should not only improve people's everyday life but also enhance their wellbeing through highly efficient production. More attention should be paid to digitalization of the real economy and ensuring competitiveness of enterprises,” the Belarusian leader said.

He asked to report on how the proposed decree would contribute to qualitative changes in the life of citizens and development of the country.