KOSTYUKOVICHI DISTRICT, 30 April (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko was shown a new shop on wheels during a working trip to Kostyukovichi District on 30 April, BelTA has learned.
The Kupava shop on wheels is produced by the Belarusian automaker MAZ. Chairwoman of the Board of Belkoopsoyuz Inessa Korotkevich informed that for the past two years the consumer cooperatives have already purchased 86 shops on wheels. This year, another 118 units will be delivered to buyers. All in all, Belkoopsoyuz needs to purchase 414 wheeled shops in the next few years. One piece costs about Br225,000. It is capable of transporting up to 5.5 tonnes of goods.
"Its assortment is the same as that of a landlocked store. Probably, we don't need more volume?" the head of state said about the assortment.
"Indeed. This is a very good vehicle. Comfortable, spacious. Lots of refrigerator and freezer space. I'm happy with the vehicle," said Lyudmila, a saleswoman at the shop on wheels.
"Is it comfortable?" the president asked.
"It is," the head of state was assured.
Aleksandr Lukashenko instructed to look into the purchasing of new shops on wheels for Belkoopsoyuz. Consumer cooperatives will need to bear the main costs. Regional executive committees will chip in.
The president also urged not to neglect the current fleet, and if possible, restore the old vehicles.
At the Belkoopsouyz general meeting on 16 February, Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed the need to provide quality services to rural population and residents of remote areas. Then the head of state touched upon the operation of shops-on-wheels.
“You should be a distributor of domestic goods in the regions, especially in the remote areas. Everyone will benefit from it. Carefully assess the prospects. If it is justified, launch regular shops-on-wheels. Rural people should get a high-quality substitute for a traditional store,” the president said.
In his words, rural residents are provided with mail, social welfare, and healthcare services. “The chairpersons of district executive committees do not perform their work properly: they need to unite the services, work out the best logistics,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
Shops-on-wheels should be modern and convenient for customers, the head of state said. The Belarusian leader instructed the Belarus President Administration to supervise these issues.
“You say these convenience store trucks are unprofitable. Take a look where they travel and what they do,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “We have domestic developments, which, I am sure, will help us upgrade the fleet. Taking into account the social importance of the matter, I instruct the government and governors to decide on financial support to purchase modern equipped vehicles for these purposes,” he said.