Lukashenko managed to visit all Belarusian regions without leaving Minsk: around Belarus in a couple of hours
Just a couple of days before the New Year, a new shopping centre begins its work in Minsk – the First [Pershy] National Trading Centre. On December 29th, the President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, familiarised with the retail facility and the stores presented here, BelTA reports.
The shopping centre showcases products of domestic manufacturers from every region of the country. This is the first time such a facility has opened in Belarus.
Back in July 2022, during a visit to the Stolitsa shopping centre, Aleksandr Lukashenko instructed to set up a Belarusian shopping centre on the site of the long-term construction project at the intersection of Nezavisimosti Avenue and Kirill Turovsky Street in Minsk. Previously, this facility was called Minsk’s Magnit, and its construction was launched back in 2009, but the work was never completed.
“Belarusian, Belarusian and again Belarusian. No one from foreigners will reproach us. They have left, that’s OK. We will sell ours,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said about the main content of the shopping centre’s creation. “We need to build our policy so that the priority is given to Belarus-made goods.”
Now the President’s order can be considered fulfilled. On the eve of the New Year, Aleksandr Lukashenko got acquainted with the branded stores and public catering facilities of leading Belarusian manufacturers.
“This is a unifying idea. We must go this way,” the Head of State gave his first assessment of what he saw.
Brest Region
Belarus’ southernmost region in the shopping centre is represented by light and furniture industry enterprises. As Brest Region Governor Yuri Shuleiko explained, Minsk’s stores are already saturated with local food products.
The first store the President visited was the Pinskdrev furniture showroom. The company has almost one and a half hundred stores throughout the country and about a hundred more in Russia. Moreover, Pinskdrev has built its own distribution network in the Russian Federation, with all processes managed by a Belarusian legal entity: the parent enterprise. Aleksandr Lukashenko sets this format of work as an example for other manufacturers.
Speaking about the production of furniture, the Head of State stressed that fabrics and accessories must be produced in our country. “I’m keen to have Belarus-made goods. Fabrics, leather, wood should be ours. We can do this,” he said. “If we can, why not produce?”
At the Blakit bed linen store, the President was shown new collections made from newly developed cotton and linen fabrics. “We sold 10 thousand sets in three months. But here the linen is number three, i.e., very short,” the store said.
“This flax would no longer exist if it were not for the coat of arms and if at one time I had not forced to work on flax. We need to understand that we will not force peasants to make only long fibre, so we must try to use everything that is available. It turns out that it is possible,” noted Aleksandr Lukashenko.
The Baranovichi Cotton Production Association is now focused on introducing new technologies and will soon install lines reducing production costs.
Gomel Region
Aleksandr Lukashenko also visited a Belarusian porcelain store. In early 2020, while visiting the Dobrush Porcelain Factory, the President said that the products of this enterprise will always be in demand, so it is important to maintain production and not to lose markets.
“I promote your items everywhere abroad. I remember you showed me the products at the factory and they are still before my eyes,” said the Head of State.
In November, Aleksandr Lukashenko visited Gomel’s Kristall jewellery factory. But at that time the President did not have time to visit the company’s branded store. Now the Head of State has made up for lost time, and in the jewellery salon, he was informed about the results of the enterprise’s work this year and plans for the near future.
“This is the only store where there are only Kristall products,” noted Kristall’s Director General Ruslan Sorokovoi.
“Just don’t stop. You must produce several new items every year,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.
In the Gomel Region’s grocery store, Aleksandr Lukashenko tasted meat and dairy products from regional enterprises. The store is special because the region’s best enterprises present their products. The Gomel Region is considering the possibility of opening similar stores in Russia and even in China.
Gomel textiles are also on display in the shopping centre.
“Since it’s impossible to display everything, we’ve made a pavilion telling about all the enterprises, opportunities and services: both tourism and medical,” said Chairman of the Gomel Regional Executive Committee Ivan Krupko.
Grodno Region
At the Neman Glassfactory store, the President was also informed about the work of the enterprise. According to management, there are now a lot of orders, and products are not kept in the warehouse. “We sold all three million goods manufactured this year,” the store said.
“If your production is as you say, then thank you for preserving the plant,” said the Head of State.
He recalled that at one time the plant had to be saved in order to maintain production and competence. Gomel’s Kristall was once in a similar situation.
Grodno Region Governor Vladimir Karanik paid special attention to the Belcredo enterprise, which sews men’s suits.
“Does your governor wear your suits?” Aleksandr Lukashenko clarified in the store.
“I’m wearing their suit!” replied the Grodno Region Governor.
At the shopping centre, the President was also informed about the implementation of the main investment project of the Lida District: the production of turkey meat. “We’ve restored this project,” said Vladimir Karanik.
Vitebsk Region
The tour of Belarus’ northern region began with the store of one of the region’s oldest enterprises: Vitebsk Carpets JSC.
“How do you work now? Do you sell everything?” Aleksandr Lukashenko asked first of all.
“This year, exports will amount to about $41m. We sold even more than we produced. We reduced warehouse balances by 23 percent,” reported Director General of Vitesk Carpets Artem Lokhankin.
The Head of State was shown new items: carpets made of polyester thread. Outwardly, they look like silk, while polypropylene carpets resemble woollen products. By the way, wool carpets are also popular among buyers.
The Vitebsk Region is also famous for its meat products. One of the leaders here is the Vitebsk Broiler Poultry Factory, so the President could not ignore the Ganna brand store.
The company remembers how Aleksandr Lukashenko came to visit them in 2006. Then it was a small factory, and today it is the largest production in the region thanks to support from the state. “Since 2021, we have invested Br350m in fixed capital. Four large facilities have been opened and two are currently at the implementation stage,” said Director General Anna Norkus.
“Are there enough eggs?” the President clarified.
“Yes,” answered Anna Norkus.
“So we need to give them to Russia,” suggested Aleksandr Lukashenko
“We export, but it’s not enough for them. 70 percent of our manufacture goes to the domestic market while 30 percent is exported. Of these 30 percent, the Russian Federation accounts for 16 percent, followed by China (with 10 percent) and the post-Soviet countries (4 percent). But our market comes first,” the Director General cited a couple of figures.
Mogilev Region
Mogilev Region Governor Anatoly Isachenko first of all decided to show the Head of State the pavilion of the Belynichi forestry enterprise to get acquainted with standard house kits. The company’s employees are ready to inform buyers in detail about the cost and features of such housing.
Local artisans have also presented their products here which turned out into a good collaboration.
Bobruisk’s Slavyanka – which demonstrated the latest collections of outerwear, as well as the Domochai Bakery and Confectionery Company – invited the President to visit. The bread of this manufacturer is one of the Head of State’s favourites.
Minsk Region and the city of Minsk
The manufacturer of women’s bags and leather accessories, Mattioli, also opened its store in the shopping centre, attended by Aleksandr Lukashenko.
The Head of State didn’t pass by the legendary Kommunarka confectionery factory, where the Head of State left his edible (in the literal sense of the word) autograph on painted chocolate: such products weighing several kilograms have become the brand of the enterprise. And this item will decorate the factory museum.
It is interesting that a visit to each store turned into a small operational meeting, with the President interested in the financial situation at the enterprises, the results of export activities and existing problems. All issues must be kept under control: whether it is the use of domestic materials in production or the supply of cocoa beans.
