MINSK, 9 April (BelTA) – Belarusian manufacturers need to work harder in the Russian market, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a large meeting to discuss the country’s manufacturing outlook at the Palace of Independence on 9 April, BelTA has learned.
Despite the fact that more than 90% of the output goes to the Russian market, Belarusian manufacturers are losing ground there in terms of traditional goods, which have always been in demand for their quality and reliability.
"I have been informed that today domestic products yield to the analogues both in price and quality. The price is still explainable. But why quality? Export of Belarusian tractors decreased by 18% in 2023. The share of our tractors in Russian imports has decreased to 10.5%, the lowest point in the last decade, trucks - to 6%," Aleksandr Lukashenko cited the statistics.
The same alarming trends, he said, are emerging in terms of Atlant. The volume of exports of refrigerators and freezers, which were in demand yesterday, almost halved. "What hampers sales? China, India and others? Get used to competition. Competition will only intensify. Today the plant has downtime on a systemic basis and sends people on forced vacations. We are losing the market. Why?" the president asked.
The head of state recalled that in his annual address, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that by 2030 the subjects of the federation will receive about 40,000 buses, trolleybuses, trams, electric buses. Finances will be provided for this. "The task of the Belarusian manufacturing industries is to pitch in and supply at least 30% of the required volumes. This is our niche. You just need to roll up your sleeves and work," Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed. "The days when you had customers queuing up for you goods are long gone."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should be at the forefront of export promotion effort. It has a consequential role in this matter, the head of state recalled.
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