Belarusian President makes new appointments

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has approved the appointment of Andrei Rybakov as Director General of OAO Belaruskali. The head of state made the relevant decision on 4 November.

Earlier, Andrei Rybakov served as Chairman of the Belarusian State Concern for Oil and Chemistry (Belneftekhim). Aleksandr Lukashenko approved the appointment of Ilya Ikan, the former head of OAO Polotsk-Steklovolokno, as Chairman of Belneftekhim.

Before making these personnel decisions, Aleksandr Lukashenko asked Head of the Belarus President Administration Dmitry Krutoi what was the reason for the rotation.

“Belaruskali is our most important enterprise, and we need a person with certain experience,” Dmitry Krutoi explained. “In fact, Belneftekhim is the most sanctioned enterprise in our country. Dozens of its companies are under sanctions. He has certain experience”

“Did he agree to take up the post himself or do you and the prime minister insist on him going there?” the President asked.

“He agreed to take up the post himself,” the head of the Belarus President Administration said.

Andrei Rybakov said that on the instruction of the head of state he had been supervising Belaruskali for two years already. “This is one of the country’s most important resources today. A lot has been done over the past two years, but there is still a lot to be done,” he said.

“Do you realize that it is not going to be easy there? The enterprise has a huge team. It is a city-forming enterprise. Moreover, it is the vital state-forming enterprise. There are a lot of problems there that need to be solved. You, with your calm character, will need to take tough decisions there,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

“I have not always been calm. I have had different things and situations over the years,” Andrei Rybakov said.

The head of state admitted that he had a feeling that when the contract of Belaruskali head Ivan Golovaty would expire, it would be necessary to look for a new specialist to replace him. The President added that he did not think that the Belneftekhim chairman would be proposed for this place.

“I know that you are a person that always take every emerging problem seriously. That is why I do not set a task. I know that the costs there are high, and they need to be reduced. I am sure you know how to reduce them. The added value per employee should be raised to the world level. Order should also be brought to the affiliated companies to ensure their stable performance. This is especially true about the agricultural sector,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

“As for Ivan Golovaty, he is not a stranger, and should not 'be thrown out'. If the current head needs him on some issues, do not hesitate to involve him. It is however necessary to make suggestions on his future work. For all the shortcomings of Ivan Golovaty, his experience and knowledge are enormous. We should not lose such personnel. After all, we cannot say that he was bad somewhere or did poor job. He has always been an independent person, taking an independent position. There were mistakes, but such things always happen. We cannot offend reliable people,” the Belarusian leader stressed.

Speaking about the new chairman of Belneftekhim, the President stated that Ilya Ikan had already worked in this structure. “I count on Andrei to help you get up to speed. Although I doubt that you are out of the loop. I would like you to maintain business, human relations for the sake of the state and Belneftekhim,” the President said.

According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, Belneftekhim has been under sanctions for a reason: the Belarusian enterprise was a serious competitor for Western companies and they tried to strangle it. However, thanks to the management and staff, Belneftekhim has kept the petrochemical industry at the proper level.

“The profitability is not high, however. We need to make it higher. Through exports first of all. You also need to finish investment projects. A little work remains to be done in some areas, but we need to finish them,” the head of state instructed.