President Lukashenko Receives Key Reports on Vitebsk Development and National Pricing

President Briefed by Top Officials

On October 22, 2025, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko received comprehensive reports from Dmitry Krutoi, Head of the Belarus President Administration, and Natalya Kochanova, Chairperson of the Council of the Republic. The discussions, held in Minsk, centered on critical national issues, primarily focusing on the sustainable development of Vitebsk Oblast and the monitoring of trade and pricing across the country.

Vitebsk Oblast Development Under Scrutiny

Dmitry Krutoi's report primarily addressed the preparations for a significant meeting on the sustainable development of Vitebsk Oblast, scheduled for October 24, 2025. This upcoming meeting will delve into the region's development program until 2030, the state of its agricultural sector, and the nationwide issue of livestock mortality. President Lukashenko has expressed particular concern regarding Vitebsk Oblast's consistent failure to meet socio-economic development targets, including its gross regional product and high inventory levels.

Key areas of focus for the region's development include:

• The Vitebsk Region's development program until 2030.
• The performance and challenges within the agricultural sector, including the effectiveness of the Vitebsk Oblast agricultural development program until 2035.
• The situation at struggling enterprises within the region, such as Belwest, Vitebskdrev, and the Polotsk Dairy Plant.

Regional Sustainable Development Strategies for Vitebsk Oblast until 2040 have been approved, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with the aim of localizing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Krutoi also reported on public outreach initiatives and measures to streamline procedures for officials' business trips abroad.

National Trade and Pricing Monitoring

Natalya Kochanova's report concentrated on the ongoing monitoring of local trade and pricing, a responsibility assigned to the Council of the Republic and the House of Representatives. These parliamentary bodies provide regular updates to the head of state, with the House of Representatives submitting monthly reports on monitoring outcomes.

Kochanova highlighted several critical aspects of this monitoring:

• Ensuring pricing fairness.
• The organization of trade in both regional and rural areas.
• Addressing public sentiment regarding economic issues.

Belarus has maintained price regulation measures since October 2022, under Government Resolution No. 713, which covers approximately 330 consumer items. The Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade (MART) plays a role in these regulations. President Lukashenko has consistently emphasized the importance of a clear and understandable system of price regulation, viewing it as a matter of social justice. Kochanova additionally provided updates on personnel matters falling within the purview of the Council of the Republic.

Continued Focus on Regional and Economic Stability

The reports underscore the Belarusian leadership's sustained focus on regional development and economic stability. The upcoming meeting on Vitebsk Oblast is expected to address long-standing challenges and outline concrete steps for improvement, while ongoing price monitoring aims to ensure fairness and manage inflation across the country.