At certain times of the year, businessmen may be easily exposed to the vagaries of the Belarusian heating system. The IBB's manager, Igor Fokin, confirms how much of a world away the IBB is from the rest of Belarus. Last year, a group went from our hotel to Vitebsk. They were very happy to come back and warm up here, where we have our own heating system. Up to now, most Belarusians have supported President Alyaksandr Lukashenka's adherence to a planned economy.
Most companies remain in state hands.
But the times are changing. Recently, though, he has been speaking of opening up trade with the rest of Europe. There could be a political reason for this change of heart. For years, Lukashenka dreamed of succeeding Yeltsin as the head of a unified Russian-Belarusian state. With Putin now in the Kremlin, Lukashenka's position has changed significantly.