Business news

MINSK, 6 August (BelTA) – An association of furniture and woodworking enterprises will be set up in Belarus, spokesperson for Bellesbumprom Concern Ruzhena Novitskaya told BelTA. The decision was made during the founding meeting attended by representatives of woodworking enterprises from all regions of Belarus.

The association of furniture and woodworking enterprises will unite furniture and accessory manufacturers and also woodworking companies that supply items to furniture producers. Chairman of Bellesbumprom Concern Yuri Nazarov previously reviewed the draft documents of the association and worked out some organizational issues.

“During the meeting, we emphasized that today Belarus’ furniture manufacturers, the number of which exceeds 300, operate independently and do not form one single network. If they were more consolidated, they would be able to develop more actively and yield more profit,” Ruzhena Novitskaya stressed. Today only 20 furniture manufacturing companies that comprise Bellesbumprom Concern coordinate their activities, the rest still operate in silos. They work in different conditions and try to solve all their problems and protect their interests on their own.

Representatives of Bellesbumprom Concern believe that lone players find it hard to influence the decision-making process. Their voice remains unheard. Thus, only the interests of the companies of Bellesbumprom Concern are taken into account during the development of legal acts and technical regulations in Belarus.

The association will unite companies of different forms of ownership and individual entrepreneurs involved in woodworking and furniture manufacturing.

“The association will promote balanced and progressive development of the common market of our furniture and woodworking companies. The development of this sector will encourage efficient multi-purpose use of wood that Belarus is reach in,” Ruzhena Novitskaya explained.

Chairman of Bellesbumprom Concern Yuri Nazarov noted that Belarus has everything to catalyze the development of its furniture industry and increase its share in GDP. “First of all, we have wood. Secondly, we have factories that produce a wide range of wood boards for furniture. Besides, the country provides favorable conditions for small and medium-sized businesses,” he said.

Yuri Nazarov is convinced that furniture production is profitable both for large and small businesses. The association will be tasked with promoting investment in woodworking and furniture industries, setting up new enterprises, and creating jobs.

“All the participants of the meeting voted in favor of the establishment of the association,” Yuri Nazarov said. An initiative group was formed to develop its founding documents.