Business news

GOMEL, 19 May (BelTA) – Polish СOM40 Sp.z.o.o. has become resident company of the free economic zone Gomel-Raton (FEZ Gomel-Raton) to implement an investment project and create more than 500 new jobs, BelTA learned from head of the FEZ Gomel-Raton administration Antonina Yezhova.

The company is one of the biggest producers of furniture and furnishings in Poland. It actively cooperates with the famous transnational company IKEA and applies IKEA’s standards. “The Polish company will set up an enterprise that will manufacture mattresses, mattress cases, and furniture upholstery fabrics in Gomel. The enterprise will possibly become one of IKEA’s suppliers,” Antonina Yezhova noted.

The investor bought out idle production facilities located on the territory of FEZ Gomel-Raton. Those used to be part of the Gomel Plant of Starting Engines. The Polish company plans to arrange production facilities and a shopping complex there. The first implementation stage of the project will require $18 million in investments. “It is particularly important that, according to the agreements reached before, 99% of manufactured products will be exported, so the new enterprise will not compete with similar plants already operating in Belarus,” Antonina Yezhova emphasized.

FEZ Gomel-Raton was established in 1998, in line with a presidential decree. Today it comprises the territory of eleven districts of Gomel Oblast. Around 80 enterprises from different countries already operate here enjoying the tax concessions and preferences. Residents of FEZ Gomel-Raton conduct export/import operations with 65 countries.