Lukashenko: it is impossible to work the way Bellesbumprom does
When making personnel decisions on April 4th, President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko has tasked the Bellesbumprom Concern new head to achieve more significant results
As already reported, the President has agreed today to the appointment of Aleksandr Pshenny as Chairman of Bellesbumprom Concern; he previously worked as Deputy Chairman here. Meanwhile, former Chairman Mikhail Kasko was appointed Belarus’ Ambassador to India in January 2024.
The Head of State first asked Aleksandr Pshenny about the current situation in the industry.
“In general, the situation is stabilising in the industry, but there are some problematic enterprises of both private and state ownership, which have certain difficulties mainly due to the fact that they were focused on the EU markets (this refers to plywood and MDF boards),” the official explained.
However, the President was not pleased with such an abstract answer, and demanded to enumerate specific problems.
“Large debt burden of enterprises. The money was borrowed back in 2010-2015 during the period of major modernisation. The sums are significant, and they are dragging enterprises down,” Aleksandr Pshenny responded.
“What do you see as a way out of this situation?” asked the President.
“There are proposals for some enterprises to restructure their debts, reconsider the possibility of reducing interest rate, and transfer foreign currency debts into Belarusian Roubles,” he suggested.
The Belarusian leader wondered whether this is a ‘breath of air’ or whether it will radically change the situation in the industry.
“So far this is a breath of air. We already need to start a new investment cycle...,” followed the answer.
The Head of State promised to consider the concern’s proposals, but made a significant remark, “It’s impossible to work the way Bellesbumprom does. There is no forest south of a certain parallel. The world needs this produce: starting from slats and baseboards to furniture. But we can’t sell. Therefore, look for a way out of this situation, first of all, on your own. if you lack something – then come.”
The President once again made it clear that one should not hide behind the beautiful word ‘restructuring’, and debts still need to be repaid, “Once you have undergone modernisation, so work now. If there is something missing in the legislation, you will be supported. The main thing is to see the desired result.”
