Łukašenka pushes for nationalization of foreign companies dropped by owners

December 12, BPN. Alaksandr Łukašenka has instructed officials to take over local companies abandoned by foreign owners.

“If someone leaves, let them leave. Don’t stop anyone, but immediately take this enterprise in your hands,” he told a meeting in Minsk, the state-run television channel ONT reported. “From now on, it is your property.”

Dozens, if not hundreds, of foreign companies have left Belarus after Russia invaded Ukraine from its territory in February 2022.

In July, the government prohibited foreign shareholders from disposing of shares in Belarusian businesses without its authorization.

In November, Łukašenka said foreign-owned companies would be nationalized if their owners seek to withdraw from Belarus.