The government plans to double tourism's contribution to GDP (from the current 2% to 4%), Belarusian First Deputy Prime Minister Nikolai Snopkov told the media following a meeting of the head of state with the Council of Ministers' leadership in Minsk on 18 August, BelTA learned.

Representatives of law enforcement agencies of Belarus have come to Vietnam to discuss international cooperation in combating organized crime, BelTA learned from the Belarusian Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation on 17 August, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian leader.

The regulatory framework for developing the nuclear industry has been created in Belarus. The framework will continue being improved. Belarusian Energy Minister Denis Moroz mentioned it during an offsite session of the Industry, Energy, Transport, Communications, and Digital Development Commission of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus held at premises of the Belarusian nuclear power plant on 14 August to discuss the practice of application of legislation on atomic energy uses, BelTA has learned.

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko signed Decree No. 303 “On Belarus President Administration” on 14 August, BelTA learned from the press service of the head of state.

The main task of the Belarusian army is to be ready for repulsing the aggression of a potential adversary, BelTA learned from Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin.

On 13 August, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko received a closed-door briefing from Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin, the press service of the Belarusian leader told BelTA.

Belarus has produced its first gold coin, Chairman of Belarus’ National Bank Roman Golovchenko said as he reported to the head of state on the development of the banking system in Minsk on12 August, BelTA learned.

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko suggested discussing further measures regarding cryptocurrency and the crypto market during the meeting on the banking system’s performance in Minsk on 12 August, BelTA learned.

Belarus intends to draft a concept for the development of artificial intelligence, Sergei Kruglikov, Director General of the United Institute of Informatics Problems at the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, told BelTA.

On 11 August Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko signed Decree No. 301 “On the construction of cellular communication facilities”, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian leader.

Belarus plans to optimize the development chain from research concept to production implementation, Vladimir Karanik, Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, said in an interview with the First News TV Channel following a recent meeting with the head of state, BelTA reports.

Trade between Belarus and Russia’s Chelyabinsk Oblast is over half a billion dollars, but there is still room for improvement, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said during a meeting with Chelyabinsk Oblast Governor Aleksei Teksler in Minsk on 11 August, BelTA has learned.

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko convened a meeting to discuss the operations of the State Security Committee of Belarus (KGB) on 7 August. Key discussions focused on potential improvements to the agency's work, BelTA learned.

The House of Representatives has already received 13 bills for review during the third session, Chairman Igor Sergeyenko said at a meeting of the Council of the House of Representatives, BelTA learned.

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has extended greetings to Alassane Dramane Ouattara, President of Côte d'Ivoire, as the country celebrates Independence Day, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian leader.

A session of the Supervisory Board of the autonomous nonprofit organization Media Company of the Union State has been held, representatives of the Belarusian Information Ministry told BelTA.

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has congratulated the personnel and veterans of the transport troops on their professional holiday – Railway Troops Day, BelTA learned from the press service of the head of state.

Military personnel from across Belarus are helping local farmers in Mstislavl District with harvest operations, BelTA learned from Captain Leonid Shchigelsky, deputy commander of the combined unit.