Lukashenka regrets Rumas dismissal

Alyaksandr Lukashenka has described the departure of Syarhey Rumas from the position of deputy prime minister as a "colossal loss", BelaPAN said.

Mr. Rumas, who had been deputy prime minister since late 2010, was dismissed from the position and appointed chairman of the board of the recently established Development Bank of Belarus on July 31.

Speaking to Mr. Rumas on Tuesday, the Belarusian leader praised his performance in the position of deputy prime minister but said that the official was a "banker" who "inclines toward specific work," the presidential press office said.

Mr. Lukashenka reportedly warned that the Bank of Development would be tasked with managing state programs and investment projects.

"Your main task is to create the Bank of Development, make it a true bank that would fit the title. You have the knowledge, experience to do that," Mr. Lukashenka said.

He called on Mr. Rumas to continue overseeing a "grandiose" project launched near Turaw, an ancient town in the Homyel region. The press office did not say what project Mr. Lukashenka was speaking about.

In addition, Mr. Lukashenka emphasized the importance of Mr. Rumas' work as chairman of the Belarusian Football Federation and told him to continue dealing with the work of the Eurasian Economic Commission of the Common Economic Zone of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia.

Mr. Rumas had chaired state-owned Belahraprambank before his appointment as deputy prime minister days after Mr. Lukashenka reelection in December 2010.