Фото: Пул первого
Aliaksandr Lukashenka said during today’s visit to the Brest Electric Lamp Plant, part of the Horizont holding company, that the group is facing difficulties. He ordered the completion of the plant’s modernisation and demanded that it produce LED light bulbs.
According to Lukashenka, the holding company’s performance has deteriorated this year. Output fell by 5.6% in the first half of the year, operating profit declined by 32%, and the operating margin dropped from 4.6% to 3%. He also criticised the low level of localisation.
“By the end of the year, we need an updated development strategy for all enterprises within the holding, with specific targets for exports and localisation. If necessary, bring in domestic industrial suppliers. We must not ruin this process through sluggishness,” he said, according to his press service.
Speaking specifically about the electric lamp plant, Lukashenka said it must begin producing new products.
“Without lighting, without a light bulb, there is no way forward. That is why this enterprise must continue to develop. This product is like bread — it is essential,” he said.
According to Lukashenka, the so-called Union State alone requires 350 million LED light bulbs every year.
“Can we compete? We can. We have the personnel and the expertise,” he said.
Lukashenka instructed officials to complete the plant’s modernisation, establish mutually beneficial industrial cooperation within the region and across the country, and seek cost savings in every component of the light bulb. He also demanded higher localisation levels, noting that transporting components sometimes costs more than the parts themselves. In addition, he ordered officials to prevent low-quality products from entering the Belarusian market.