Visit to OAO Motovelo

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko visited the premises of OOO MotoVeloZavod and OAO Motovelo Plant in Minsk on 5 March.

The head of state was briefed on the development prospects for the national manufacturing of motorcycles and bicycles and proposals for the further use of the Motovelo Plant premises.

“Thrifty approaches to the development of these territories are needed. This is a gold mine. Please no housing here. We need production, high-tech production here,” the Belarusian leader stressed.

In his words, the focus on export is necessary. “Please rent these premises, produce and export goods,” the President said. “People will be happy to work here, in the center of Minsk.”

The head of state instructed the chairman of the State Control Committee to analyze the need to dismantle certain buildings once again. A more targeted approach is needed. Aleksandr Lukashenko deems it necessary to use this huge territory virtually in the center of Minsk wisely. Moreover, some buildings in Partizansky Avenue have been shaping the historical image of the Belarusian capital city for many years.

“Let’s see. If you like, this is an item of cultural value. I was not born in Minsk, but I used to drive along this avenue to work and back home for all my life, when I was an MP. I liked those buildings. Let’s see, maybe, it is necessary to repair some roofs and anything like that. We need independent people, not from those who were in charge of that audit,” the Belarusian leader stressed.

“Look at this beauty. These are century-old trees,” the President said about the territory of Motovelo. He inspected the premises during a bus ride and gave instructions.

According to the President, it is necessary to sign a decree to provide certain preferences to those who will work on this territory.

The head of state was submitted a plan of action to solve Motovelo’s problems related to the accumulated debt. The President generally approved it and instructed to prepare a draft decree. He urged to act swiftly and start renovations without wasting time, as soon as good weather sets in.

"Please, make proposals without delay," Aleksandr Lukashenko said. "If we want something done, we need to get moving today."

"We expect that during this five-year period Motovelo will turn into an exemplary enterprise and will remain a household name for Belarusians as it once was. We need to do everything to turn it around,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. The product line, he said, should be expanded, including with electric vehicles as it is the most environmentally friendly mode of transport. The President also urged to increase localization, to start manufacturing of parts and components. "The number one issue for you is to restore the production, to double and localize it," the head of state said as he addressed Director of OAO Motovelo Nikolai Ladutko. "Assembly production is a good thing. You get parts supplied from China, Russia or Europe and assemble them here. Yet, we need to produce things by ourselves."

"We need a well-performing manufacture of motor vehicles.  Motovelo should become an exemplary enterprise by the end of the five-year period," the President said.

After the head of state toured the territory where the Motovelo Plant is located and other organizations lease space from OAO Motovelo, he answered the questions from the Motovelo staff. “These are unacceptable conditions for work,” said the President commenting on the uncomfortable conditions in which the employees of the Motovelo Plant have to work.

The President spoke about the decision to locate the Minsk City Technopark on the current territory of Motovelo Plant, with the main production of motorcycles and bicycles to remain in the place. “We will set up the park on the basis of the third building. It will be the most advanced enterprise where you will be working to double the production of vehicles within the next five years,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

“We will keep this production site in the center of the city, but it will a clean site. There will be no casting, no petroleum products here. Another feature of this technopark will be that it will be a purely manufacturing site. No mediators and even no trade,” stressed Aleksandr Lukashenko.

Speaking about companies that may be set up in the technological park, the President cited an example of a private company which he visited as part of the tour around Motovelo: “It has markets, and it sees prospects. I asked the director of the company whether there were any problems. The answer was the lack of space. We have solved this issue. There's enough space for you and this company. This company even provides you with support and assistance sometimes. These are good contacts.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko said that different ways were tried to develop motorcycle production, including the sale to private businesses. “We tried everything. We have come to the conclusion that no private company needs us. There are very few good private companies willing to work for people,” the President said. Motovelo Plant was returned under state control and it was decided to restore the glory that the company had in Soviet times.

Aleksandr Lukashenko instructed to create conditions for the maximum localization during the current modernization of Motovelo. “We need to produce component and spare parts here. We buy component parts from China and assemble vehicles here. It is a huge amount of money, huge expenses; we have to bring them from there, and then take the finished product back to that market. We have to produce as much as we can here,” the Belarusian leader said.

The head of state promised good working conditions for workers of Motovelo by the winter and said that he would revisit the company later to take stock of the implementation of his instructions.

As for the buildings along Partizansky Prospekt, the President spoke against their demolition. “I cannot take the decision to demolish them. It is necessary to put them in order, to make them beautiful,” he said.

There are also plans to set up an exhibition pavilion at the technopark to showcase engineering equipment produced in Belarus.

“Within the next three years we need to bring this territory into perfect condition. What is not needed will be taken away by autumn. We will set up a very good production within three years. Motovelo Plant should regain its Soviet-times glory within the next five years,” the President said.