Business news

MINSK, 31 August (BelTA) – The production of engines in Belarus should be on par with the world’s best. Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko gave the instruction as he appointed Alexander Rogozhnik Director General of OAO Managing Company of the Holding Company Minsk Motor Plant (MMZ) on 31 August, BelTA has learned.

The head of state said: “I want MMZ to take dramatic steps. It is a nodal enterprise. We cannot be a mechanical engineering country without developing our own engine manufacturing industry. And these engines should be as good as the world’s best. Work for it. Don’t be afraid. You may not achieve the goal tomorrow but you will the day after tomorrow. Not everything works out right away.”

“The motor plant… Honestly speaking, I have a feeling we’ve failed it. We are a mechanical engineering country but we import engines from all over the world. We also use engines made by the motor plant. When I visited the motor plant, I saw so many new products, I saw so much hope but now, wherever I go, I am told that the vehicles are powered by Detroit engines, Cummins engines and so on… I also get to hear about some German and American manufacturers. But we have an engine plant of our own. This is why you have to be bolder and implement the most daring projects,” stressed Alexander Lukashenko.

The head of state also gave a number of instructions as he approved the appointment of Irina Zarembovskaya as the director of OAO Brest Electric Lamp Plant. “It should be a promising enterprise. We don’t want outdated filament lamps anymore. We need LED lamps and the rest. And maybe even better than that. It is necessary to renew this enterprise. We need it a lot. For instance, for import substitution because we buy a huge amount of lighting devices abroad. Start making not only electric lamps. Explore allied trades, too, right up to desk lamps, ceiling lamps, and so on. It is closer to you and will help revive and advance this manufacturing business,” said the president.