MINSK, 16 February (BelTA) – It is necessary to provide high-quality services to the rural population, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at the general meeting of the Belarusian national union of consumer societies Belkoopsoyuz on 16 February, BelTA has learned.
“Processing is one of the ways to expand operations. Along with catering, it is an additional mechanism to make up for low-efficiency trade in rural areas. You have enough competitive advantages,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.
According to him, food production by consumer societies should pursue several strategic goals: “Product quality should be high, the assortment should be broader and productivity should be higher. Bread, confectionery, meat, sausages, traditional pickles, frozen mushrooms - much of what you produce is always in demand. Expand the assortment.”
The head of state recalled his visit to a small bakery in Svisloch in 2021. The president tried local bread and was impressed by it. Following Aleksandr Lukashenko’s visit, people dubbed this bread ‘Batka’s bread’. The town even launched a bread festival of the same name.
At the same time, the head of state drew attention to complaints about the quality of bakery products in other cities, in particular in Rogachev. He ordered to look into this issue and take the necessary measures. “Make sure that the big town of Rogachev has its own bread!” the president demanded. “Provide quality services to people.”
“Here is my advice to you: start with discipline and order, improve the structure of your organization. Start with yourself. If you need help with something, I will definitely help. But you need to get your act together. Start working together with the authorities. Deputy Prime Minister Zayats will be the pointman, we will help. The prime minister will personally get involved. Tell him so. You are responsible for the village. We all come from the countryside. I repeat once again: this is where our nation began; thus, we must support villagers. We will make you work. Understand me the way you want. You can do it. If you couldn’t, I would discuss today how we will destroy Belkoopsoyuz and create something new instead. But I still have hopes for you,” said the Belarusian leader.
