OREANDA-NEWS. On 09 July 2009 was announced, that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko appointed Alexander Radevich new industry minister, Oleg Kachan new sports and tourism minister, Vladimir Tsalko new natural resources and environmental protection minister, and Ivan Scherbo new transport and communications minister, the press service of the president reported.

Also, Igor Voitov was appointed chairman of the State Committee on Science and Technologies, and Andrei Giro ambassador of Belarus to Germany.

Lukashenko also approved the appointment of Vitaly Solodukha as the general director of the scientific and production association Integral.

Lukashenko told the new industry minister it was time to act immediately, as the Belarusian economy depended on global processes. “There are many problems, especially in the Industry Ministry, but nothing is impossible. Take your proposals directly to the president if the government fails to address them.”

Speaking to Tsalko, Lukashenko said the new nature minister must be honest and sincere to bring things back to normal in the Year of Native Land.

Kachan was set a task to promote the tourism system of the country and develop a network of training schools.

Commenting on the situation in the transport sector, Lukashenko said efficiency and profits were more important than gross output figures. “Belarus is a transit country, and we have to use this advantage to the max,” Lukashenko said.

“The real sector must increase sales – we can only accumulate stocks of what will be sold tomorrow – if you are certain it will be sold. You must provide jobs, pay wages, but I will not tolerate cut-back in production,” Lukashenko said.