Belarus' Brain Power: Unlocking The Secrets Of Success

Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It has been described as the Silicon Valley of Eastern Europe due to its thriving IT industry, with Minsk recognised as the country's capital and largest city. Belarus has a population of 9.1 million people, and its history has been marked by numerous invasions and political upheaval. During World War II, Belarus was the hardest-hit country proportionately, losing about a quarter of its population and half of its economic resources. In more recent times, the country has been criticised for its authoritarian government, with President Alexander Lukashenko labelled as Europe's last dictator. Despite these challenges, Belarus is known for its resilient and resourceful people, who value social connections and enjoy celebrating holidays with singing and dancing.

The country's high IT and tech focus

Belarus has established itself as Eastern Europe's IT hub in recent years. Ranked 13th out of 20 leading countries in the field of IT outsourcing and high-tech services, the country has also birthed top global companies in this area, including EPAM Systems, IBA Group, and Intetics Co. The country's focus on IT and tech is driven by its business community, aiming to make information technology the primary source of income for citizens, businesses, and the state.

Belarus has developed a system of state electronic services, with a unified technological infrastructure for electronic interaction between government agencies and organizations. This includes a national automated information system, a unified national data transmission network, and a single website for electronic services, providing over 500,000 electronic services monthly. The country is also working towards a digital transformation in various sectors, including healthcare, trade, industry, agriculture, and transport.

In healthcare, Belarus has introduced electronic prescriptions, telemedicine systems, and is transitioning to integrated electronic medical records. The country's schools are also implementing access control systems and utilizing online services for academic performance records.

In housing and utilities, the website "Moya Respublika" allows residents to process online applications and resolve issues. Belarus has also introduced electronic toll collection, cashless payments, and dynamic vehicle weighing. Belarusian Railways utilize cargo tracking technologies and sell unnumbered train tickets through self-service terminals, the internet, and mobile devices.

Additionally, Belarus has introduced a precision farming system, improving field quality by taking into account crop fertilizer needs, increasing agribusiness efficiency, and reducing environmental impact. The country is also working on pilot projects for the digital transformation of the construction and forest industries.

The Hi-Tech Park, created by the President of Belarus in 2005, has become a leading IT cluster in Eastern Europe and the CIS. With about 61,000 people working in the park, contributing to over 3% of the country's GDP, it offers opportunities for both industry giants and small businesses. The Hi-Tech Park also attracts foreign investment, with over 40% of its resident companies having foreign participation.

With its focus on IT and tech, Belarus is striving to create a modern digital economy and raise the level and quality of life for its citizens.

The impact of Chernobyl

The impact of the Chernobyl disaster on Belarus was devastating. About 70% of the radioactive fallout from the explosion landed in Belarus, contaminating one-fourth of the country, one-fifth of its agricultural land, and affecting at least 7 million people. The fallout severely impacted the health of the population, causing thyroid cancer in around 5,000 children by the early 1990s. The disaster also led to the evacuation of more than 2,000 towns and villages, and the relocation of about half a million people since 1986. The economic consequences were significant, with Belarus bearing an estimated 20% of its annual budget on the costs related to Chernobyl.

The immediate aftermath of the disaster was marked by confusion and a lack of official response. While the Soviet government in Moscow initially downplayed the severity of the accident, the situation on the ground was chaotic. The evacuation of the nearby town of Pripyat, located just 12 miles from the power plant, was delayed, and residents were not immediately informed of the danger. The first evacuees were told they would only be relocated for three days, and two other reactors at the Chernobyl plant remained operational for 24 hours after the accident.

The long-term effects of the disaster were far-reaching. The radiation fallout contaminated large areas of farmland and forests in southeastern Belarus, rendering them unusable for agriculture or habitation. The contamination of water sources and the disruption of economic activities had a significant impact on the country's economy and food security. The Belarusian government, along with international organizations like the IAEA and Greenpeace, has worked to reduce radiation levels in affected areas through various measures such as the use of caesium binders and rapeseed cultivation.

The Chernobyl disaster also had political ramifications in Belarus. The country was already undergoing political changes, with a power struggle between supporters of a military-security union with Russia and those advocating for independence. The disaster exacerbated these tensions and became a focal point for opposition groups, who criticized the government's handling of the crisis and its lack of transparency. The aftermath of Chernobyl contributed to the rise of the Belarusian Popular Front, a major pro-independence force, and ultimately led to the country's declaration of sovereignty in 1990 and its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

The country's political history

Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. Between the medieval period and the 20th century, different states controlled the lands of modern-day Belarus, including Kievan Rus', the Principality of Polotsk, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, and the Russian Empire. In the aftermath of the Russian Revolution in 1917, the Byelorussian SSR emerged and became a founding constituent republic of the Soviet Union in 1922.

During the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Belarus gained independence on 25 August 1991. Alexander Lukashenko was elected as the country's first president in 1994 and has served as the country's authoritarian leader ever since. Lukashenko has been criticised by Western nations for his tight grip on power, with the US Bush administration describing him as the "last dictator in Europe". Belarus has continued several Soviet-era policies, such as state ownership of large sections of the economy, and is the only European country that retains capital punishment.

In 2000, Belarus and Russia signed a treaty for greater cooperation, forming the Union State. Belarus has shown no aspirations to join the European Union but maintains a bilateral relationship with the bloc. The country has been a member of the United Nations since its founding and has joined organisations such as the CIS, the CSTO, the EAEU, the OSCE, and the Non-Aligned Movement.

In the 2020 Belarusian presidential election, Lukashenko sought a sixth term in office, winning in a disputed election that sparked mass protests. Lukashenko's victory was not recognised by neighbouring countries Poland and Lithuania, as well as the European Union, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The Belarusian people and culture

Belarusians are known for their sociability and enjoyment of life. They are resilient and resourceful, having endured many hardships over the past decades. They are stoic, superstitious, good-humoured, and have a strong sense of social responsibility. Belarus has a rich cultural history, with origins in the Kievan Rus' period. The country's folk music traditions, for instance, can be traced back to the times of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

Belarusians are also known for their strong work ethic and resourcefulness in the face of adversity. This is reflected in their history of economic development, with the country ranking 60th in the United Nations' Human Development Index. Despite being a landlocked country with limited natural resources, Belarus has established itself as a significant player in the IT industry. The country ranks 13th out of 20 leading countries in IT outsourcing and high-tech services, with companies like EPAM Systems, IBA Group, and Intetics Co. having Belarusian roots.

The Belarusian government has also implemented several initiatives to modernise the country and improve the lives of its citizens. For example, they have introduced electronic healthcare, precision farming, and smart building technologies. Additionally, the government sponsors annual cultural festivals such as the Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk, which showcases Belarusian performers, artists, writers, musicians, and actors.

Belarus has a population of about 9.41 million people, with ethnic Belarusians constituting 84.9% of the total population. The country has a negative population growth rate and a negative natural growth rate. The median age is estimated to rise to between 60 and 64 by 2050. Despite these challenges, Belarus has a very high level of literacy, with over 99% of Belarusians aged 15 and older being literate.

Belarusian cuisine consists mainly of vegetables, meat (especially pork), and bread. Wheat and rye bread are commonly consumed, although rye is more plentiful due to the harsh conditions for growing wheat. Hospitality is an important part of Belarusian culture, and it is customary for hosts to offer bread and salt to guests as a welcoming gesture.

The country's economy

Belarus has established itself as Eastern Europe's IT hub, with the Global Services 100 rating ranking the country 13th out of 20 leading countries in the field of IT outsourcing and high-tech services. The IT country project aims to create a modern digital economy in Belarus, with the business community as the main driver of the project. The mission is to make information technology the main source of income for citizens, businesses, and the state.

The country has developed a system to provide state electronic services, with electronic interaction expanding beyond its borders. A unified technological infrastructure has been created for electronic interaction between government agencies and organizations, including a national automated information system, a Belarusian integrated service and settlement system, and a data transmission network. The legal framework has also been developed to operate a system to provide electronic services, and unified mechanisms have been put in place to identify participants in information interaction.

The Hi-Tech Park (HTP) in Belarus is a leading IT cluster in Eastern Europe and the CIS, contributing to the development of regions outside of Minsk. In 2019, the HTP output amounted to Br5.315 billion, with a record growth of 57%. About 61,000 people work in the park, contributing to more than 3% of the country's GDP. The HTP is export-oriented, with products worth $2.2 billion exported in 2019. The number of resident companies has grown fourfold in two years, and the park offers equal opportunities for both industry giants and small businesses.

The HTP attracts foreign investment, with more than 40% of its resident companies having foreign participation. The amount of foreign direct investment in 2019 was $263.2 million. The development of the HTP is part of Belarus's ambitious goal to create a high-tech country, with the republic persistently working towards achieving this goal.

In addition to its strength in the IT sector, Belarus has a diverse economy that includes manufacturing, agriculture, and trade. The country has trade relations with over 180 countries, with Russia and the EU being its main trading partners. Belarus is highly dependent on Russia for imports of raw materials and its export market. The country has also established close economic ties with China.

The service sector is an important part of the economy, with a large number of people employed in areas such as education, healthcare, and tourism. Belarus has a highly skilled workforce, with over 4 million people in the labor force. The unemployment rate is relatively low, and the overall rate of employment is high.

The country has a history of state ownership and control of key industries, with the government maintaining its influence in sectors such as banking, energy, and agriculture. Belarus has also introduced a precision farming system that aims to improve the quality of fields and increase the productivity and efficiency of agribusiness.

The country has faced economic challenges, including inflation and a severe economic crisis in 2011 attributed to the centralized control of the economy. However, Belarus has also shown resilience, with GDP growth and a rapid recovery from the industrial production plunge in the 1990s. The country was the fastest-recovering former Soviet republic in economic terms.

Overall, Belarus has a developing economy and is one of the most equal countries in the world in terms of resource distribution. It ranks 82nd in GDP per capita and has a "very high" human development ranking. The country's economic policies and performance have a significant impact on its relations with other countries, including Russia, the EU, and the US.

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