MINSK, 8 November (BelTA) – President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has backed the idea to set up a major leatherworking and fur enterprise based on the Vitebsk fur factory, the press service of the Belarusian head of state told BelTA after the government session held on 8 November to discuss the development of the leatherworking and footwear industries. BelTA has been told that the Vitebsk Oblast Governor had suggested inviting the footwear manufacturers Marko and Belwest to set up a powerful leatherworking and fur enterprise based on the Vitebsk fur factory. A Korean company has already shown an interest in investing in the enterprise, BelTA has learned. “By doing it, we will be able to create a leatherworking and fur enterprise with available raw materials and components. Then we will indeed reduce import by roughly 70%,” said Vitebsk Oblast Governor Mr Alexander Kosinets. Director General of SOOO Marko Mr Nikolai Martynov said that a framework agreement had been signed with the Korean company and they are willing to build or upgrade a tannery in Belarus. Alexander Kosinets also said that by late 2015 the output of Marko and Belwest may reach 12 million pairs of footwear, or twice as much as the present figure. Alexander Lukashenko backed the project and promised certain preferences if they are necessary. “If you are ready, prepare a draft decree for this specific merger,” he said. The fur factory and the leatherworking enterprise based in the town of Gatovo, Minsk District will be sufficient for Belarus, said the President.

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