LYUBAN DISTRICT, 23 May (BelTA) – There are two ways to develop the manufacturing industry in Belarus: deepening existing competencies and building new enterprises, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said during an off-site meeting to discuss the construction and commissioning of the mining and processing complex (MPC) in Lyuban District, Minsk Oblast, BelTA has learned.
"The country thrives and develops when new enterprises are created and existing ones are modernized and when there are investments in production and the social sphere. We often try to invent something new, but we already have many schools and enterprises where we work superficially: there is room for improvement," Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized.
The head of state used cellulose production as an example. Previously, Belarus mainly produced cellulose to export it to other countries, where it was processed into value-added products. Now, these competencies have been developed domestically.
"For instance, we sell cellulose to Poland, where they manufacture cardboard for packaging women’s tights, pencils, and other products. They take our cellulose, turn it into cardboard, and then sell it back to us. Is that normal? No, it is not. This is why we decided to build a cardboard production plant in Dobrush. We expanded our capabilities and gained added value. And now, almost all of our enterprises follow this approach," the president recalled.
"New technologies have emerged today. The first path [to develop Belarusian manufacturing industry] is to andance and deepen existing capabilities. We have people, schools, and the skills to do this. There is no need to retrain or teach from scratch. The second path is to create new enterprises," Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.
However, new enterprises in Belarus are being established based on existing competencies "of the areas and industries where we already have schools and trained professionals”, according to the head of state.
The president is convinced that such projects should be carried out independently, but if necessary, it is possible to involve partners from friendly countries.
"Due to certain circumstances, we delayed the construction of this enterprise [the MPC in Lyuban District]. Now we must understand that we need to build with our own hands, using our own materials. Everything must be ours, so that we depend only on ourselves," the Belarusian leader said. “Nowadays we need to plan the construction of a new potash mining complex, as white potash is in high demand worldwide. The team working on this project must not disperse across the country: they should move to a new deposit and build another similar complex there. This must be done within five years, no more."
The construction of the mining and processing complex (MPC) in Lyuban District is expected to be completed in 2025. At least, this is the promise from the company’s management.
"We have the market [to sell the enterprise’s products]. We will build a new plant, as I said. But there is one condition: we should have a market to sell our products at a good price. There will be such markets. People need food. There is no food production without mineral and organic fertilizers. This is why we are not mistaken in developing this construction and engaging in the extraction of highly useful and necessary mineral fertilizers," Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized.
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