Working trip to Grodno Oblast

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko made a working trip to Grodno Oblast on 14 June. The head of state visited the country’s infant milk powder and baby food producer Bellakt in Volkovysk. 

Upon arrival at the enterprise, Aleksandr Lukashenko first asked about the fieldwork and progress in planting and recultivation activities. Grodno Oblast Governor Yuri Karayev reported to the President that everything had been sown and that some places had even been necessary to resow.

“I thought I would see a much better situation in Volkovysk District,” the head of state remarked, speaking about the things he saw from the helicopter.

The governor assured him that things would improve.

Aleksnadr Lukashenko was briefed on the social and economic development of Grodno Oblast. Although the gross regional product in the region is higher than last year's figures, it still falls short of the set targets. According to Yuri Karayev, agriculture, construction, and trade are showing positive growth, while the manufacturing sector stills needs to make progress.

The nominal average monthly salary in the region and fixed capital investments are showing advanced growth.

The President also asked about the situation in the northern districts of Grodno Oblast.

The governor informed the President about the progress in the One District-One Project program. According to him, the region is currently implementing 25 projects under this program.

“What about farming machinery, agricultural chemicals, and district supply services? Are you working on these matters? Have they been restored in every district?” Aleksandr Lukashenko asked. “You have seen what needs to be done. You know how to restore them. We need to clearly understand what we are going to do there.”

The head of state was reported that there was still a lot of work to be done in the area.

The President was also informed about the situation in Volkovysk District. In particular, the region has seen a decline in beef and pork production. The reasons are well known. For example, as far as beef is concerned, there is insufficient livestock numbers in the area. Meanwhile, livestock mortality has significantly decreased in the district.

“If your livestock is dying in Mogilev, give it to him. Well, do not give it to away, but sell it,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said addressing Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Shuleiko. “God help you if I make more remarks about livestock mortality somewhere, while he has free space for fattening operations. You will all be held accountable! You will have to answer for the livestock. Take it to a good farm and let it fatten it up. There will probably be no livestock losses there at all.”

The head of state was also scheduled to be briefed on the operation of Bellakt. The President, however, said that he was aware of the enterprise’s strong performance and immediately headed to the production facilities, inviting to discuss everything during the tour.

Aleksandr Lukashenko examined the production base of the enterprise, visited the baby food packaging section, and got familiar with the product range. The enterprise is gearing up to launch a new PET bottling line for dairy products. The move will secure maximum expansion of the product range. The new workshop will process 100 tonnes of milk per day.

The head of state will also be shown products from dairy processing enterprises of Grodno Oblast. These include Bellakt, Lida Dairy Canning Plant, and Molochny Mir.

Aleksandr Lukashenko was informed about plans to build an additional facility to manufacture dry baby food. 

The project is expected to be financed from various sources. Almost half of the sum is the loan from the Development Bank of Belarus. The rest is the funds of the national centralized innovation fund, the innovation fund of the Grodno Oblast Executive Committee and 13% - the company's own funds.

Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that such products, especially baby food, will always be in demand. For example, many countries in Africa are interested in it.

As for loans, the President recalled about the need to pay them back. “Wherever you take a loan from, either the Development Bank or other institution you must pay it back. When there is a market, a marginal one, you will easily pay back everything you borrow,” the head of state said.

“We will support this project,” the Belarusian leader said. 

He instructed to prepare the economic case for the project without delay, without red tape. “If there is such a need, we will build this facility,” the head of state said.

The project will enable the company to process an additional 61,000 tonnes of milk per year, to double the production of dry infant formulas (up to 15,000 tonnes) that meet the international standards and expand the geography of exports to Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

In Volkovysk, the head of state inquired how the potato supply situation is in the region. On the instructions of the President, the supervisory authorities promptly examined the situation on the ground and found no problems.

“Grodno Oblast delivered on its obligations regarding the stabilization funds last year,” said Vasily Gerasimov, Chairman of the State Control Committee, the President’s authorized representative for Grodno Oblast.

Since the stabilization funds were stocked, the region experienced no shortages with potatoes with the onset of spring. Potatoes from the stabilization funds were supplied to retail chains when they had problems.

“Make sure there are no problems next year. I just talked to agricultural producers. We discussed the amounts to be stocked for the off-season. The reserves must be enough to last off-season. Of course, potatoes were two to three times more expensive in Russia. Some wanted to make money and exported the vegetables there. This is on the one hand. On the other hand, there were some cases of sabotage,” the head of state said. 

“I don’t see any big problems. A new harvest is already coming in,” the President said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko warned against eating potatoes too frequently as this can negatively impact your waistline: If we eat potatoes, as we write in ‘tiktok’, then we will not be slim. I suggest once a week, or two at the most and only baked or mashed.” 

Animal abuse was unacceptable, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said recalling a recent dog-beating incident during his working trip. 

“I love animals. The media have recently reported an incident about a dog being ill-treated in Grodno Oblast,” the head of state said.

“Yes, the police have found this animal abuser,” Grodno Oblast Governor Yuri Karayev said.

“Have you identified this scoundrel? Take the dog away from him. Find a new loving home for it,” the head of state advised.

The President recalled a similar incident that took place in Vitebsk several years ago. The head of state intervened in the situation. The beaten puppy was brought to Minsk, and the President gave it to Dmitry Baskov, the team’s coach, after a hockey training session.

“The dog was taken away. I have recently asked Baskov about the dog. ‘A cutie’ he said,” the Belarusian leader stated.

“Don't let anyone abuse them. Animals are the most vulnerable creatures because they cannot defend themselves against us. We can. They cannot. That's why we need to protect them,” the head of state emphasized.

The President also mentioned his fondness for horses: “I didn't feel it that way when I was growing up in the village. When I became President, I was given several horses as gifts. I have watched them closely. What intelligent creatures they are! What a benefit horses have brought to humanity!”

The head of state noted in this regard that during the Great Patriotic War, it was horses that brought enormous benefits. With a lack of vehicles, they helped a lot with the transportation of artillery installations and cargo.