Business news

A refueling station under the brand BelOil was opened in Russia’s Smolensk Oblast on 11 March. The project to create a chain of refueling stations to sell Belarusian fuel in Russia is being implemented by OOO European Trading Company, which has been founded by ZAO Belarusian Oil Company.

European Trading Company started operating in Russia in 2012. “When we started deliveries, consumers appreciated the quality of Belarusian oil products. We get no problems or complaints. We already have devoted consumers, who prefer Belarusian fuel. These days the companies that guarantee the quality of their products will succeed on Russia’s retail market,” Sergei Grib was convinced.

In his words, the company’s foothold in Russia is secured. “We have stable positions in Smolensk Oblast. Transition to retail business is one of the stages in the development of our daughter enterprise in Smolensk Oblast and Bryansk Oblast. Together with Russian partners we will present Belarusian oil products directly to Russian consumers via the chain of refueling stations,” said Sergei Grib. “Initially we sold more in bulk. Now we are entering the retail part of the market in order to raise profits. We already have two refueling stations. In the near future we plan to open another three or four. Next year the number will be raised to 20. Most of them will be located along the motorways Minsk-Moscow and Smolensk-Bryansk”.

The refueling stations that operate in Smolensk Oblast are owned by a major Russian oil trading company. OOO European Trading Company provides its brand and merchandise to the Russian company.

Smolensk-based OOO European Trading Company was created in 2012 by ZAO Belarusian Oil Company. The priorities include the fulfillment of Belarusian-Russian intergovernmental agreements that require Belarusian oil refineries to supply certain volumes of their products to Russia on specific terms. OOO European Trading Company sells Euro 5 compliant oil products to Russia, primarily the central federal district and the northwestern federal district, via commodity exchanges, via direct contracts, and in small bulk. The company is one of the largest tax payers in Smolensk Oblast.