OREANDA-NEWS. May 4, 2010. It is time for Belarus to adopt directive #4 on economic liberalization, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said in his annual address to the Belarusian nation and parliament.

“I believe the time is right for directive #4 on further liberalization of economy aimed at emancipation of business initiative,” Lukashenko said. According to him, the main principle of liberalization is a transfer from monopoly to competition.

Commenting on other priorities in Belarusian economic development, Lukashenko said a new technological strategy was required, based on structural transformation with domination of industries producing commodities with high added value, creation of high-tech productions, formation of market incentives to encourage innovation.

Belarus is also supposed to work out a transit strategy to expand transport, communication and financial corridors.

The Belarusian energy strategy must be based on a wider use of renewable sources. “Furthermore, in the next five years, the energy strategy will become the key priority for all authorities. It is the major factor of Belarus’ independence,” Lukashenko said.

Commenting on liberalization, Lukashenko noted the importance of simplifying the taxation and accounting systems and reminded that Belarus was supposed to enter the top-30 countries by the ease of doing business [World Bank’s rankings].