Lukashenko instructed to develop multi-brand centers in Russia and focus on service maintenance
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has instructed to develop multi-brand centers in Russia and focus on after-sales service. He stated this at a meeting on the state and tasks of industrial development, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
Ambassador of Belarus to Russia Dmitry Krutoy said that currently, emphasis is placed on the creation of unified multi-brand centers in the Russian Federation. The establishment of eight such centers has been approved by a government decision. Three of them are practically ready, and five more will be launched by the end of 2025.
"These are million-plus cities – major hubs. Then, governors from smaller cities ask that they don't need, for example, this large center: 'Give us a smaller one. Just service, repair, and spare parts.' Therefore, in the second stage, we will also do this at the government level, we are currently working on it. We will also identify them (such centers and their locations. - BELTA's note) and ensure a full range of relevant components. Governors will forgive us for this. For them, this is the number one task to further promote our equipment," the ambassador reported.
"This cannot be postponed to the second tier. Under no circumstances. It needs to be done now," Alexander Lukashenko reacted to what was said.
He emphasized that there is a demand for such a form of interaction from Russian governors, with whom he regularly meets: "They tell me: 'Give the order to your people, we will allocate space there, we will do it...' So I see their interest. And they are ready to meet us halfway."
"Take this under control. Because selling our equipment without repair is discrediting ourselves. Therefore, service is a must. You put a tractor there – service follows," the Belarusian leader instructed. - It needs to be done now – this is the moment. If we postpone this – create them in large cities, and tomorrow in small ones – nothing will come of it. Others will come there ahead of us."
Dmitry Krutoy also spoke about the most promising areas of work in the industrial sector in the Russian market – how to maintain existing niches and even grow in the future. This includes joint planning, a possibility enabled by the decree on the implementation of a unified industrial policy signed by the heads of state. Important areas of work also include participation in Russian state programs, building systematic cooperation with state corporations, and coordination with specialized associations. In the same vein, further practices for assembly plants, the demand for Belarusian competencies in machine tool manufacturing, cooperative supplies for assembly lines, and much more are being discussed.
"The main quintessence of your speech is that any issue in Russia can be resolved. At the regional level. That's what I was talking about. Governors are ready to cooperate. Now there is a go-ahead at all levels. A governor comes, he is ready to do any program with us. Let's do it! But it depends on them (heads of industrial enterprises and officials responsible for this area. – BELTA’s note). Again, so that they don't just sit here. They came to the embassy (this is our second government – in Russia) – and you will be advised, and helped, and if necessary, you will call the governor. They treat us well. Especially the ambassador. But you need to be proactive, you need to turn around," Alexander Lukashenko concluded.
"There are a huge number of opportunities. Yes, I have a couple of my own issues. I am ready to raise them at the presidential level and discuss them. But these are mainly government issues. And they need to be resolved right now," the Belarusian leader emphasized.
As Dmitry Krutoy reported, recently the Ministry of Industry has become the number one exporter to Russia from Belarus. "Six billion dollars. Last year, they surpassed the Ministry of Agriculture and Food with food products. This is a quarter of our exports," the ambassador noted.
At the same time, within the Ministry of Industry system, the "big six" stand out in terms of exports to Russia, accounting for about $4.5 billion. "BelGee – passenger cars – one billion, BMZ and BelAZ – $900 million each, MTZ and MAZ – a total of $1 billion, and Horizont – half a billion," Dmitry Krutoy detailed. "In fact, over the past two years, export growth has exactly doubled."
The ambassador noted that Belarus is actively working in the Russian market even against the backdrop of major global players such as China or Turkey. "Take Turkey. Small Belarus is only one and a half billion in total trade with Russia.
Source: belta.by