Establishment of Belarusian confectionery union under consideration

Initially the Belarusian state food industry concern Belgospishcheprom suggested uniting confectionery producers, in particular, Kommunarka, Spartak, Krasny Pishchevik, Krasny Mozyryanin, and Vitba, into one holding company. The need to step up the positions of Belarusian companies on the home market and bolster the competitive ability of their prices was mentioned as the reason behind the initiative. The idea was discussed at the government conference hosted by the head of state.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted: “If the move is beneficial and there will be no excessive red-tape, if it is effective and the executives agree to it. At this stage I would make it a public organization. Just like unions in Russia – unions of sugar refineries, confectionery producers and the rest. So that they could accumulate information and hand it over to the minister so that the government could make decisions. It has to be done immediately. It is not detrimental. Keep working on it.”

To avoid placing an additional burden on the enterprises is the idea, Aleksandr Lukashenko added.

After the government conference Chairman of the Belarusian state food industry concern Belgospishcheprom Anatoly Buben told reporters that the idea to unite Belarusian confectionery enterprises had received support, however, taking into account a number of organizational and legal complications the establishment of a holding company involves participants of the conference considered the establishment of another organizational structure – a union. According to Anatoly Buben, such a union will be established soon. “So that participants of the union could coordinate their work, see markets, and guide the development of the confectionery industry,” the official said.