(BelTA) - President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko sees a "window of opportunity" for Belarus to raise to a new level of economic growth. In his State of the Nation Address the head of state described the current stage of social and economic development as special, requiring accelerated modernization effort. “The ongoing change of predominant technological paradigms opens a “window of opportunity" for a new wave of economic growth. It is in these times of large-scale global technological transformations that "a window of opportunity" enables individual countries to get ahead and make economic breakthrough. We must therefore make use of this,” the President believes.

Alexander Lukashenko reminded that these issues were discussed in March at a meeting of the Council of Ministers. Back then we identified the criteria to measure the efficiency of modernization, namely the annual revenue from sales at least $60,000 per employee, as well as the conditions which the government, the central bank and governor need to create for successful modernization.

"We should improve all processes, not to mention the foundation of any state and society – the economy. Modernization is a natural process for the development of society and the state,” the head of state believes.

Alexander Lukashenko drew attention to the fact that Russia, Belarus’ main partner in the Customs Union and the Single Economic Space, had already entered the World Trade Organization, and Kazakhstan is approaching this day. “That means we are in fact already working in the conditions of tough global competition. Hence, we have no other choice but to promptly renew our economy,” the President believes.

The head of state said there are “too many wicked remarks” in the media regarding the modernization.

“Our opponents state that the authorities are making use of a new pre-election slogan, and that everything will end up with idle talk. They come to a strange conclusion that the growth potential of the Belarusian product is exhausted and our economy is approaching degradation. They say we do not need modernization, we should throw everything away and take up an absolutely new model,” the President said.

“Our opponents, enemies, the fifth column have no new ideas… just the same “raze to the ground, and then” old songs that have repeatedly thrown countries into chaos of social disruption and regress. As the proverb goes, it is always earlier to break than to make,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

Alexander Lukashenko stressed: “Our road is creation, not destruction. Not Manilov’s dreams, but real projects of sustainable economic development, improvement and firm growth of our production potential.”