MINSK, 16 February (BelTA) - Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko will take part in the general meeting of members of the Belarusian national union of consumer societies Belkoopsoyuz, BelTA has learned.
In 2023, Belkoopsoyuz reported the total volume of activities at Br3.5 billion (with wholesale and retail trade accounting for 65% of this volume). The consumer cooperative system brings together 258,000 shareholders and serves 3.2 million people, or 35% of the country's population.
Organizations of Belkoopsoyuz are actively involved in such sectors as trade and catering, placing a special emphasis on rural communities.
An important area of work is helping households sell agricultural products grown on their subsistence plots. A total of 759 procurement offices are involved in the procurement of agricultural products and raw materials. More than 30 types of agricultural products and raw materials are purchased, processed and sold. Br500 million worth of agricultural products and raw materials were bought in 2023.
Belkoopsoyuz contributes to ensuring the country's food security by stockpiling vegetables and potatoes for the off-season.
In general, consumer societies provide more than 60 types of services to the population: farmers market operations, catering, clothing repair, livestock slaughter, transportation services, repair and maintenance of vehicles, car wash services.
Belkoopsoyuz has preserved fur farming and is a monopolist in this segment in Belarus. The union of consumer societies supplies raw materials and operates closed-lopping manufacturing. Its design center GNL makes ready-made fur garments, including bespoken outwear.
Belkoopsoyuz has its own educational system and offers all kinds of educational programs, including for training personnel and top-qualification scientists. The Belarusian Trade and Economic University of Consumer Cooperation in Gomel operates two branches in Minsk and in Mogilev. There are also four colleges in Baranovichi, Molodechno, Gomel, and Grodno.
