Visit to Orsha Meat Canning Plant, Orsha Artware Factory

Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko continued his working trip to Vitebsk Oblast and visited Orsha Meat Canning Plant and Orsha Artware Factory on 15 June.

During the working trip the head of state demanded more progress in the development of Orsha District. “We will keep an eye on this matter till the end of the year. You will be responsible for every square meter,” the President warned.

Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked that Orsha gets more attention than any other city in the country. “But we also have Grodno, Brest. I have come here, and they already start writing: when will the President go to the west?” he added.

According to Vitebsk Oblast Governor Nikolai Sherstnev, a lot has been already done in Orsha District. Unique objects are being built in the region.

When touring the plant, Aleksandr Lukashenko asked about the manufacturing process in the new shop and the use of the old production and utility buildings. The President was informed that these buildings will be demolished, part of the grounds will be handed over to the city.

"We need a smart approach. First of all, you need to think whether you need these grounds in the future or not,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed. “We can turn this place around. The baby food workshop, as I have been told, is good. Let's keep strong walls, mount the equipment, if necessary, and put veverything to good use. We need to approach this thriftily, smart," he said.

The President was told that the new workshop will be more than just a part of the production chain. In fact, it will house two meat-processing plants under one roof. According to acting Director General Maksim Bakurov, the project is unique for the country. The production capacity of the new workshop will be twice as high as the plant’s current capacity. Every detail has been carefully crafted out to ensure that the quality of products meets the most discerning customer.

The President was interested in the availability of raw materials for the new workshop. The head of state was told that the work with raw material zones had begun in advance. The share of domestic raw materials is expected to account for 75-80% of the plant’s total raw materials by the end of 2022.

The President also asked about the sales. Acting Director General Maksim Bakurov said that the plant meets the local demand for canned baby food. However, it is difficult to compete in price and quality with Russian producers, for example. The acting director general is convinced that the construction of modern pork and cattle processing workshops will significantly improve the situation.

Having listened to the reports on the development of the enterprise and the prospects of work of the new workshop for slaughtering and processing of swine and cattle, the President asked the assistant to give him his document case. As it turned out, comprehensive information on the construction of this facility was there. In accordance with the current plans, the workshop is expected to be commissioned in November 2021. Although initially it was planned to commission the facility by 1 July 2021. Due to some objective and subjective reasons the construction works have not been completed yet. “You have failed it,” the head of state said. “It means that we need to find a solution: as those who were responsible for this project. They must be personally responsible for the failure to fulfill the instruction.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko asked those who delivered their reports why the construction schedule was not met. A decision was made to appoint a new director of the enterprise. Current acting director general Maksim Bakurov will head Orsha Meat Canning Plant. “It is because you are not to blame for the construction project failure,” the President emphasized.

“It means I advise you to focus on the construction costs (a state-run enterprise is implementing the construction project, but still), especially as far as private and other structures are concerned. Look at every specification. Take any specialists, calculate prices,” the head of state gave a number of instructions to the director of the enterprise.

The governor and Vice Premier Aleksandr Subbotin were instructed to monitor the implementation of administrative procedures, including decisions on tenders. “In simple terms: today you invite all interested parties and make a decision by the end of the day. Don’t waste months on it,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.

The head of state toured the facilities under construction at the plant, visited the canned baby food production shop and the warehouse. Here again the topic of sales surfaced again. The company complained that some retail chains charge slotting fees to secure a place on their shelves. The President demanded to sort the situation out and remove all difficulties.

During the working trip Aleksandr Lukashenko also visited Orsha Artware Factory. The future of the enterprise was the main issue on the agenda during the visit. The head of state was informed about the proposal of Belwest to buy this factory and organize footwear production there.

However, the President made a decision to hand over the factory to Orsha Linen Mill by August 2021.

The President deemed it necessary to support the personnel of the factory. Sewers are in demand on the labor market. Workers of the enterprise have experience of work with linen. “We make wonderful fabrics in spite of all drawbacks. There are no such fabrics in the world. This is a difficult, labor-intensive process,” the Belarusian leader said. “We produce good fabrics and can produce good garments. But it is not enough. We need to step up efforts. There would be no fortune, but misfortune helped. The pandemic will help you. People will buy our fabrics, if we ramp up production.”