News & Events in Belarus
Lukashenko wants Belarusian companies to build strong foothold on domestic market
MINSK, 22 July (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko urged domestic enterprises to step up efforts to promote their products in the domestic market as he toured the Stolitsa shopping center in Minsk on 22 July, BelTA has learned.
"We need to sell Belarusian-made goods. Everyone wants a good salary. A good salary comes when goods sell. We need to retake the domestic market away from foreign brands," the head of state said. “Describing the current situation in trade, when sales to some countries have been made difficult, he recalled the expression ‘Blessing in disguise’. “This will incentivize us to finally focus on promotion of Belarusian-made goods," Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.
The head of state dropped by a store of a well-known Belarusian confectionery brand. He was informed that the departure of a number of foreign suppliers vacated some niches in this market segment. The head of state set a task to make the most of this situation and increase the presence of domestic brands in the market.
“We have earned recognition in the domestic market and abroad. In fact, we don’t need much, we are not a gigantic country... We just need to make sure our people have jobs and salaries,” the Belarusian leader stressed.
There is a great demand for Belarusian confectionery abroad, including in China. Therefore, another task is to scale up production, launch new production lines if necessary. “There is a huge demand in the market. It is necessary to make the most of it and launch new companies and products,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The same tasks were set for the regions. Another confectionery company which products were presented to the head of state, opened a small production facility in Slavgorod in the south-east of Mogilev Oblast. “That’s exactly it,” the head of state responded. He emphasized that it is important to launch businesses that create 70-100 jobs in such small towns.
The president also visited factory shops of domestic light industry manufacturers. He was told about the assortment and new products. For example, the demand for linen products has been steadily growing in recent years. The president discussed the supply of raw materials and efforts to increase the presence of Belarusian brands in the domestic market.
“It is necessary to produce what sells well in the market. Well, we should not abandon our traditional niches,” the Belarusian leader noted. Addressing Chairwoman of the Belarusian light industry concern Bellegprom Tatyana Lugina, the head of state told her to be the guardian of the domestic light industry market. He believes that now is the perfect moment to take the vacant niches before someone else attempts to do it.
The Stolitsa mall offers favorable retail lease terms for domestic brands. Aleksandr Lukashenko gave an instruction to scale up this business model on to other retail outlets.
The president also dropped by the Pervy [First] store selling products featuring Aleksandr Lukashenko’s quotes. He was told that the merchandise sells well not only in brick-and-mortar retail outlets, but also at various holidays and festivals. Merchandise is often taken as souvenirs and gifts by foreign visitors from various countries. By the way, one of the new products has the autograph of Aleksandr Lukashenko.
The head of state also gave some advice regarding product design and emphasized that products should be affordable.
After leaving the Pervy store the head of state visited a furniture store, a meat products store run by one of agricultural companies, a porcelain store, catering facilities. In all these retail facilities he discussed working conditions, expansion prospects, possible difficulties and ways to overcome them. As usual, Aleksandr Lukashenko was offered to taste some products.
The Stolitsa shopping center has been operating since 2006 and is currently undergoing renovation and rebranding. Minsk City Hall, the owner of the center, positions the center as a retail space of branded stores of leading Belarusian manufacturers. The main goal of the rebranding effort is to popularize domestic brands and create comfortable conditions for customers and for manufacturers. By decision of the government, domestic producers are entitled to special rental rates below market rates.
The shopping center regularly hosts fairs of Belarusian designers and craftsmen, marketing events to promote domestic goods, discount days, exhibitions, sports events, various promotions. It also hosts shows of collections of domestic brands of the Bellegprom concern featuring models of the National School of Beauty.
Cooperation has been established with the leading arts universities of the country. Their students are given the opportunity to showcase their art. The president noted that financial material can be provided to students for this kind of participation in the work of the shopping center. "I am not suggesting giving ‘helicopter money’. But students should be remunerated for running artistic programs or for showcasing their pieces of art. They should have an opportunity to sell them. Support is needed," the Belarusian leader said.
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