4 February 2020

Lukashenko to look into import substitution issues

Import substitution will be given an increased focus in Belarus, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he was inspecting Dobrush Paper Factory on 4 February, BelTA has learned

The factory just needs to launch equipment and complete some minor construction works. “Why do you need so much money for that [$83 million] if everything is in place?” the president asked. The head of state was informed that half of the amount should be paid to Austrian company Andritz that will launch the machinery. Belarusian companies cannot do it as they do not have the necessary competencies: this is the first production of this kind in the post-Soviet space.

“The Austrian company is the industry leader. They guarantee that we will get what we are building this facility for,” Yuri Nazarov said. The Austrian company can also supply machinery to Dobrush if needed. Production of these nodes can be launched in Belarus in the future.