DOBRUSH, 29 October (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko is visiting Dobrush Paper Mill Geroy Truda, part of Belorusskiye Oboi Holding Company, BelTA has learned.
The head of state will be briefed on the progress made in the implementation of the instructions given to upgrade the pulp and paper industry and the Belarusian timber, woodworking, pulp and paper industry concern Bellesbumprom in general.
The main task for Dobrush Paper Mill was to launch the production of coated and uncoated cardboard.
Aleksandr Lukashenko is set to get familiar with the production process and the main technological equipment.
Aleksandr Lukashenko visited Dobrush Paper Mill on 4 February 2020. Then, the president focused on the construction of the coated and uncoated cardboard plant, which was supposed to be commissioned in 2015. The project needed the help from the head of state to address some issues, including financial ones.
Aleksandr Lukashenko announced his intention to visit the facility again on 3 June 2021, when he met with Deputy Prime Minister Yury Nazarov, Belarus President's Aide Aleksandr Kosinets, and Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich.
Despite the fact that the main topic of the meeting was the state and development of the country's energy complex, Yuri Nazarov also touched on other issues within his purview. In particular, he reported to the head of state about the launch of a cardboard factory in Dobrush. "The factory is up and running, making cardboard."
The president said that he was aware of this and added that he wanted to visit the company, to get familiar with the production. “This is a breakthrough project. They trolled us during the election campaign saying that ‘there are protests on the streets, and Lukashenko is busy with cardboard production'. I kept an eye on all the issues at that time, but this one is a big investment project,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
Today Belarus can manufacture cardboard products itself. “The demand is great. This project in Dobrush is a good one. We will go there and see. We should keep moving forward. We have launched a cardboard production. Now is the turn for packaging production. This is a very important sector,” the head of state said.
The document to commission coated and uncoated cardboard production in the country was signed on 1 June 2021. At the initial stage the production of uncoated cardboard was launched. The first coated cardboard was produced in the second half of July. Some 9,000 tonnes of cardboard was produced from June to September.
The factory's specialists are currently working on the technological regimes to reach quality indicators of cardboard and gain full capacity in 2022. The work to test sales markets and develop the sales strategy is underway.
The domestic production of coated paperboard will help the country reduce imports of these products and fully meet the needs of the food, light, healthcare and printing industries in Belarus.
The new production secured positive financial results already at the initial stage. In January-September, the output at actual prices doubled compared to the same period last year.
