Ceremony to present State Quality Mark awards

In the current conditions of aggressive competition, quality is becoming the determining factor, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a ceremony to present the State Quality Mark awards to the enterprises that have earned this high distinction based on the results of 2025.

The President noted that over the years of independence Belarus has significantly restructured the economy, introduced the most progressive sectors, and built up its expertise. “In the current conditions of aggressive competition (not always fair, by the way) and rapid technological change, the drive for quality is becoming the defining factor at all levels: company, industry, country, and even the world,” the Belarusian leader believes.

Aleksandr Lukashenko pointed to rising GDP and export numbers as the key proof that Belarus is on the right track. “Goods with ‘Made in Belarus’ mark are now available in more than 150 countries, and our export footprint keeps growing,” he stressed. “I believe that fair competition among manufacturers for the State Quality Mark will not only serve as motivation but will also help cement our technological leadership at regional and international levels,” the head of state said.

The President described the State Quality Mark as the greatest possible advertisement for products that have earned it. He also recalled that during the first decade of the existence of the Soviet Quality Mark, nearly 3,000 goods manufactured on the territory of the Byelorussian SSR earned the right to have it.

“We will not reach 3,000. This is not because we don’t have them, but because the task set for the government is that only the very best goods should be awarded the State Quality Mark,” the Belarusian leader added.

The President noted that the State Quality Mark is one of the most prestigious and popular awards of sovereign Belarus. “Honoring enterprises whose products have been awarded the State Quality Mark has become our new good tradition – a tradition with a strong historical foundation,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “The State Quality Mark was introduced in the Soviet Union in 1967. Among the first recipients of this award were Belarusian MAZ trucks, BelAZ vehicles, Belarusian tractors, and delicacies from the Minsk Meat Processing Plant.”

Among the producers whose goods were recognized as the best in 2025 are the famous Amkodor loaders. The head of state remarked that without them it would have been impossible to build high-quality roads, feed livestock, or clear snow-covered courtyards after the recent cyclone.

Also among the winners is the domestic BelGee X50 car. Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that it has been rated as one of the most attractive, reliable, and affordable vehicles: “Especially by young people and by women, which is quite symbolic in the Year of the Belarusian Women.”

The President stressed that in January the 150,000th car rolled off the production line under the BelGee brand. “They are successfully sold on both domestic and foreign markets because they offer the best possible balance of price and quality for consumers. And what more could anyone ask for in a truly people’s car?” the head of state asked rhetorically.

Among the best products are agricultural machinery from Gomselmash and Bobruiskagromash. “Without them, our farmers would not have been able to harvest last year’s record crop quickly and efficiently in what was a difficult year, 2025,” the President said. “Belarusian agricultural machines have been highly valued by farmers across the globe. In some African countries, it was precisely our equipment that helped ensure food security for the first time in their history.”

Speaking about engines produced by Minsk Motor Plant, the Belarusian leader expressed confidence that they need no advertising. The same, he added, is true for Belarusian meat and dairy products, which have won the affection of consumers worldwide.

“The famous Rogachev condensed milk, Komunarka confectionery, and the Orsha Linen Mill are not losing ground. Their new products have received the Quality Mark for the second year in a row. By their example, I want to appeal to all producers: never stop at what has already been achieved,” Aleksandr Lukashenko urged.

“In December of last year, during my Address to the Belarusian People and the National Assembly, I identified thriftiness as one of the priority tasks for the five-year period, alongside quality. This is very important for us,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “Cost reduction, wise spending, and strict production discipline are continuous and crucial processes. We must be responsible stewards of our enterprises, our country, and our lives. Then we will succeed.”

The head of state sincerely thanked the winners for their outstanding results. “In the coming year, each of you bears tremendous responsibility. It is the responsibility to motivate others, to compete honestly, to share best practices and management technologies. After all, it is leaders who inspire others to follow, especially young people,” he emphasized.

“The New Year and Christmas holidays have ended; we have successfully dealt with the snowstorms and the Epiphany frosts. Now it is time for concrete actions to achieve concrete results,” the President stated. “May today's ceremony inspire all of us, the hardworking people of Belarus, towards new professional achievements! If you are successful, our Belarus will be successful too.”

At the Minsk International Exhibition Center, the head of state toured the stands of the organizations to be awarded the State Quality Mark for 2025.

Among industrial products, the Quality Mark has been awarded to: the BELGEE X50 model passenger car; the GS12A1 self-propelled grain combine harvester produced by Gomselmash; the AMKODOR W500C universal loader; the MSHK-9 machine for applying powdered chemical ameliorants, produced by Bobruiskagromash; and the MMZ-3LD diesel engine from the Minsk Motor Plant.

This high distinction has also been awarded to: 6-330 kV cross-linked polyethylene insulated cables produced by Energokomplekt; the Alexandria garden swing produced by Olsa; and the semi-linen softened blanket from the Orsha Linen Mill.

The State Quality Mark has also been awarded to food products. These include: the Turkey Meat Nut Roll produced by Dzerzhinsky Agrokombinat; 1962 vanilla-flavored plombir ice cream in a waffle cup from the Kobrin Butter and Cheese Plant; Yegorka sweetened boiled whole condensed milk from the Rogachev Milk Canning Plant; and Lyubimaya Alyonka (Beloved Alyonka) milk chocolate produced by Kommunarka.

During the ceremony the President also talked to journalists. He told them that he had signed a document on Belarus’ accession to the Board of Peace and on the implementation of the provisions of the Peace Board Charter.

When asked about the actual conditions for joining the Board of Peace and rumors that a $1 billion payment is necessary, the President stressed: “These sick people [who say and write such things] have once again disgraced themselves. One simply needs to read the document. No money is required.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko explained that for the first three years one can participate in this organization as a founding member free of charge. “But if after three years you want to continue without being elected, invited, or appointed, then pay a billion dollars and work for another three years. A billion is needed if you want to continue to work after three years,” the head of state said. “But there is another condition: if you work well for the sake of peace, then you can continue without the billion. I am guided by the latter.”

“So it’s all lies. They [the opponents] don’t know what to latch onto in order to hit me somewhere. As people say, to lower my rating, my role, and so on. Certainly, it matters to me. But I think about it the least. And if there really were something worth paying a billion dollars for, I would pay it,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated.

“But if they want my service and the service of others who were invited, and on top of that, get a billion dollars... Even Trump wouldn't allow himself that. Therefore, it's a complete lie that we are supposed to contribute a billion. Nothing is needed at all. What's needed is experience and the capability to work on the Board,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.

“No one will pay money for nothing. That was the first question I asked. No, no money is needed. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has seriously studied all these matters,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.