Belgospishcheprom CEO on foreign companies: none of them in hurry to leave Belarus’ market

No matter what various experts say and no matter what someone wants, foreign manufacturers of tobacco and food will continue to be represented on the Belarusian market – as stated by the Chairman of the Belarusian State Concern of Food Industry (Belgospishcheprom), Oleg Zhidkov, in his talk with the Belarus 1 TV channel

At one of the meetings with the President’s participation, issues of perfecting the production and sale of tobacco products were discussed. Commenting on whether import substitution in the sphere is developing by analogy with McDonald's that left the Belarusian market (but was rapidly replaced by a local business), Mr. Zhidkov said, “It may work this way in our industry if someone leaves or refuses to work in our market. However, as time shows, even the foreign brands of cigarettes that were produced in our country are still being produced and sold. Differently speaking, no one is in a hurry to leave our market, because this is a fairly profitable share. Therefore, I think that no matter what someone may say and no matter what anyone wants, these manufacturers will continue to be represented on the Belarusian market.”