Report of Belgospishcheprom Chairman Anatoly Buben, Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Subbotin

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko met with Chairman of the Belarusian state food industry concern Belgospishcheprom Anatoly Buben and Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Aleksandr Subbotin on 26 August.

“We need to discuss the situation at our state food industry concern Belgospishcheprom. It the past we called this association the Food Industry Ministry,” the Belarusian leader said.

He remarked that the food industry concern uniting over 40 enterprises with about 20,000 employees is relatively small. However, it plays a very important role. Belgospishcheprom accounts for about 7% of payments to the budget in Belarus. “Of course, this is not the Agriculture and Food Ministry, but we must understand that it provides for nearly 100,000 people if we count the employees with their family members. The contribution to the budget is serious, and the number of employees is serious. It means that this business is very important,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

“However, today I do not want to listen to your report. Please tell me what was good and what was bad. There have been certain drawbacks and positive moments. First of all, I would like to be informed about the products you make, especially about your export, and about the responsibilities of the vice premier. He is a coordinator of your work,” the Belarusian leader stressed.

According to the President, some enterprises included in Belgospishcheprom concern are operated at the local level. “As far as I understand these are still state-run enterprises. I am always concerned about the transfer of enterprises from a higher to a lower level. I do not want it to be reason for privatizing them without the approval of the President or the government. Please tell about such facts, if there are any,” the head of state asked.

He said that four sugar refineries are also included in the food industry concern. “We know that last year the situation with sugar prices was not ideal, and that the prices for sugar soared in late 2020-early 2021. What is the current state of affairs?” the President wondered.

Aleksandr Lukashenko approved the plans to set up a state corporation at the Belarusian food industry concern Belgospishcheprom.

“The government is overly enthusiastic about the establishment of state corporations. How will this state corporation differ from the concern? The concern is also a state association. Anyway, let it be. Nobody minds. It is clear that from start to finish, the entire production chain, as well as sales, are run by one entity, and you divide the profit, and so on. I want to know one thing: is this just an idea or has Belgospishcheprom already started translating it into reality?” the head of state asked.

Aleksandr Lukashenko wanted to know what benefits this move is expected to bring. “Indeed, no one needs reform for the sake of reform. It must be effective and produce the desired results, first of all, financial results. It should translate into bigger profits, higher profitability and greater efficiency,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.

Interests of agricultural producers must be protected as they supply their products to processing companies, the President is convinced.

"You work closely with agricultural producers. This is a question for you, Mr Subbotin. Are there any problems in this regard? Are farmers treated fairly?" the President asked.

Aleksandr Lukashenko demanded that farmers should be treated fairly. "Not because you will lose your raw material base. You will never lose it because the state will do everything to make sure it never happens. But farmers should be treated fairly. They are not the wealthiest in our country," the Belarusian leader emphasized.