The government is working on a formula for fair pricing, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he attended a ceremony to launch the new section of the third line of Minsk metro on 30 December, BelTA learned.According to the head of state, he plans to hold a meeting with the government in early January to discuss this matter. “Not price controls. Not even price regulation. We must work our a pricing formula in Belarus to avoid a situation when prices rise faster than wages. It shouldn't be like that. I see that things are more or less normal. But the price should be fair. The formula for fair pricing is a task for the government,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

He added that the Minsk authorities should get involved as Minsk is always at the forefront of this work. “Everything should be under control,” the president emphasized. “Pricing should be fair. So that businessmen and people who trade and produce do not run after you asking to raise prices, to do this or that. They themselves should know in which corridor they can operate. Therefore, together with the business community, please sit down and work it out. You will report back in the first days of January.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko also demanded from the city administration to pay attention to convenience stores to make sure they are not squeezed out by large retail chains. 
“Corner stores are closer to people. They must remain in place  But these large chain stores… Please make sure they don't take you into their claws. You will need to keep an eye on prices (how they are formed), displays, and the list of goods on sale. No matter what chain there is, no matter what store it is, the main thing is convenience for people,” the head of state pointed out.