Options for development of Motorcycle Plant announced at meeting of President

16 февраля 2021
The President demands clear development prospects of Motorcycle Plant. The fate of both Belarusian AIST and the entire enterprise was discussed at the Palace of Independence.

The company has had rich history and a brand known since the Soviet Union. But the financial and economic indicators are far from the desired ones. The share of Belarusian bicycles on the domestic market is declining. Only one out of five bicycles in the country comes from the domestic assembly line. Among the problems voiced by the head of state is the loss of the design bureau. Today the plant is engaged in assembling from ready-made components. Meanwhile, the global bike market is growing by 9% annually, the demand for bicycles is growing, and it is important not to miss this opportunity. Alexander Lukashenko stressed that the problems of the enterprise couldn't be solved by assembly line alone. It's not up to privatization either.

President on the privatization of the Motorcycle Plant: do not bet on that

"If someone thinks that we will let privatizing the enterprise, and let the investor transfer the production to Italy, Russia or China , don't even bet on it. I want you to understand, MAZ, BelAZ, Motorcycle Plant are brands. We cannot lose it. And at the All-Belarusian People's Assembly, we agreed  that we need to develop the spheres where we are good at."

Among the problems of the Motorcycle Plant are debts, as well as empty factory areas in the center of Minsk. The government has been instructed to consider options on how to use this platform to the benefit of the state and people. The President raised a number of issues, related to the development strategy of the enterprise.

A. Lukashenko: I would like to see a comprehensive business plan


"I would like to see a comprehensive, well-calculated business plan, which is strictly focused on the needs of consumers. The products must be of high quality, competitive. There is very strong competition in the world in this direction. The proposal to build an enterprise for budgetary money in the center of Minsk receives much criticism. It is necessary to work out an unambiguous economically justified, effective model for the development of production with a guaranteed payback period of about 5 years. If such a plan exists, financing can be considered."

Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Nazarov told reporters that several options for the development of the plant were announced at the meeting. The main conclusion is that the enterprise should operate.

Alexander Lukashenko intends to visit the Motorcycle Plant in Minsk in the near future in order to finally determine the prospects for the development of the production of motorcycles.