Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko took part in the ceremony to inaugurate the center for specialized technological equipment for the production of photomasks and micro-optics as he visited Planar on 30 January.

The new center being launched is the only facility of its kind in the former Soviet Union capable of producing items at the 90 nm technological level. These products are crucial for creating advanced models of electronic equipment. The center will also serve as a testing ground for new versions of software developed at the enterprise.

According to the head of state, the task for the national microelectronics industry is to stay half a step ahead by making products that are in demand globally.

"This is the future," the head of state said, speaking about the development of the microelectronics industry. The President emphasized that in this field, it is necessary to continue to "stay half a step ahead and produce goods in demand worldwide".

"If you don't fall behind, you'll always have work and good money. Not just from us," Aleksandr Lukashenko told Planar Director General Sergei Avakov. "You have outpaced everything and everyone. Both in Belarus, and in Russia. You've gotten ahead of them all."

According to the President, Belarus has managed to preserve the production facilities that remained after the Soviet Union. Moreover, thanks to the assistance provided by the state, the enterprises surviving from the Soviet era were successfully modernized and made cutting-edge. In this regard, Aleksandr Lukashenko shared memories of his first visit to Integral.

"There was simply no money back then, and everyone needed [help]. I understood that if we had had the funds, we would have surged forward. What drove me then? Most likely, intuition. Help was provided to Integral," said the head of state. "You know, when a person creates something with their own hands, something very complex, it's a terrible shame to lose it. That is the foundation of my life philosophy. And I held onto every school, every enterprise that had been developed here, intuitively understanding that they would be needed."

"And now our time has come. We invested that money for a reason. What people dreamed of in the Soviet period (those who laid this foundation), those dreams have begun to come true," he continued.

Aleksandr Lukashenko also acknowledged Aleksandr Kosinets's involvement in the enterprise's development, who at one time, on the head of state's instructions, was responsible for matters of innovative transformation at Planar. "But you resisted, you didn't want to go [down this path]. And now they're running ahead and showing what a marvel they've created. Well done. Thank you for that. This is an example of how we should act in the future," the President said. "Thank you for creating such a unique production. We will continue in this direction and will help in every possible way."

At Planar, the head of state was briefed on the enterprise's performance over the past five years and its development prospects for the coming years. According to Planar Director General Sergei Avakov, the company's revenue has grown fourfold over the five-year period, while its exports have increased five times. Large-scale works on modernizing and expanding production are underway at Planar.

Specifically, the discussion concerned the implementation of three major investment projects. "If you don't fall behind and keep moving at least at the current pace, there will always be a consumer for your goods and products who finds the money, including the state, it will always lend a shoulder. And not just our state, but in this case Russia as well, which needs your products very much," the President said.

He explained that after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the development of the microelectronics industry in Russia significantly slowed down, and the country lost a lot in this area. Belarus, however, preserved not only its production facilities but also its scientific schools, expertise, and highly qualified personnel, who passed on their experience and knowledge to the next generations. Thanks to this, modern products, in demand in many countries including Russia, are now being manufactured across many industries. "Our time has come," the head of state said.

The head of state emphasized that the technologies, equipment, and products of the enterprise are unique, with such capabilities found in only five countries worldwide: the USA, Japan, Germany, Sweden and Belarus.

"And you say that Belarus is small. It is not so small," the President remarked. "Today, a state's size is not defined by its land area, but rather by the level of intelligence and technological advancement. We know how to do this."

At the same time, this is no reason to stop at what has been achieved. "We must move faster. If we stop, those behind us will overtake us," Aleksandr Lukashenko warned. "If we don't speed up, there will be no result. It is not because I want it this way or keep pushing you. The point is that we don't have vast reserves of rare earth metals, materials, and other resources, which are in high demand today. We also don't have the amount of natural gas and oil that even major leading countries like the United States are fighting over."

"Behind all this lies resources: natural and mineral. Above all, oil. We don't have it. We are proud to have smart people and advanced technologies, but these advanced technologies require us to run faster and think ahead, so that others don't overtake us. There is nothing to fall back on. We have no oil," the President stressed.

He noted that even having oil in today's world does not guarantee successful national development: it is no longer sufficient. "That's why we must keep running," he said.

"Know this: no one will give you anything. There will always be those who want to take what you have, even among friends. That is why you must rely on yourselves, on your own. Produce your own, so that not only we, but also our children and grandchildren can live and work on this land," Aleksandr Lukashenko urged.

The President assured that the state will continue to support advanced enterprises such as Planar. "We created this, invested money, and will continue to do so. But we see that in just two or three years you will easily pay back these funds and produce high value-added products with profit," he said.

At such a level of development, enterprises are able to ensure strong financial and economic performance, decent working conditions and wages for employees, who, as he noted, are willing to work extra shifts and even on weekends. "I haven't heard anyone at Planar complaining on TikTok that they're being forced to work. That is great," Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked. "But money is never enough. And for you too, probably. That's good: it means you'll strive to earn more."

"Know this: there will be no 'unearned wages' in Belarus," the head of state warned. According to him, this approach applies to all enterprises and organizations in the country. He cited a recent example in Vitebsk Oblast, where during a meeting with the President some had expected to get state support.

"There is no extra money. And if there is, it will only be paid for real work," Aleksandr Lukashenko said, outlining his principled position.