Exhibition of Belarusian goods dedicated to the Year of Quality to be held at VDNKh

Point of attraction

Previously, we entered the pavilion through the central entrance, now we go from the inner courtyard to look at the new photo zone – a huge tire for BELAZ, the photo with it is really impressive.

– Previously, there were two points of attraction at VDNKh – the Vostok rocket and the Buran space shuttle, after the renovation of our pavilion in 2022, BELAZ appeared, and now the Bobruisk enterprise Belshina has made a gift, – Gennady Romanenko, General Director of the Belarusian Trade, Exhibition and Information Marketing Center, told us while meeting us. – They brought a car tire for installation on a 180-ton BELAZ as part of the presentation of the potential of the Mogilev region.

After the event, the tire was taken away. But we started getting a lot of requests to return it. We contacted the company, and they met us halfway. Moreover, they brought an even larger tire, for a 220-ton BELAZ. According to the CEO, this is now one of the most popular photo zones and meeting points at VDNKh, and also a bright symbol of cooperation, Gennady Romanenko is sure. About 60% of the materials and components for BELAZs are made by Russians. And the same Belshina is the main supplier for assembling products of the largest Russian automakers, including PJSC KAMAZ, OOO KZ Rostselmash, JSC Petersburg Tractor Plant and others.

– The international exhibition and forum "Russia", which was successfully held at VDNKh, seriously affected the efficiency of our pavilion. Our dialogue platform hosted meetings of Russian and Belarusian governors, representatives of ministries and departments, businesses, public and cultural organizations, – says Gennady Romanenko. – The pavilion was visited by more than 1.250 million people last year. And this is an average of about one hundred thousand visitors per month. For comparison: by Belarusian standards, this is an average regional city, for example, about 120 thousand people live in Mozyr. According to the CEO, of course, this significantly affected the turnover of trading platforms. Food products took the first place in sales. The most popular products, according to the CEO, are Belarusian lard and chocolate. Perfumes and cosmetics are in second place. Hosiery and legwear closes the top three, with footwear literally "breathing" down their necks.

Products with guarantee

– The pavilion presents iconic Belarusian enterprises that produce only high-quality products, – noted Gennady Romanenko. – Both Muscovites and guests of the capital will not buy a fake. According to the general director, the pavilion's capabilities have already been appreciated by individual entrepreneurs, small and medium businesses, because now there are opportunities to supply wholesale and small wholesale lots of goods without intermediaries.

An exhibition of Belarusian goods dedicated to the Year of Quality is planned for February at VDNKh

– We can organize for any Russian delegation or entrepreneur an absolutely free online broadcast with the director of any enterprise whose products are presented in our pavilion. In addition, we have a representative of the Bellegprom concern working on a permanent basis. When we offered such a service only after the update, there were few applications, now we organize 5-6 meetings a week.

Establishing connections

According to the CEO, small and medium businesses contact us on various issues, and even if it is not within the competence of the pavilion, they always try to help. For example, one of the entrepreneurs wanted to open a dealership in one of the Russian regions of the Belarusian-assembled BelGee car, an online meeting with representatives of the enterprise was organized for him. They also help Belarusian enterprises resolve issues. Often, Russians are not ready to make a 100% prepayment for goods, and Belarusians are very strict about the solvency of partners, help find common ground, and act as intermediaries.

– Often, many Russian entrepreneurs are slowed down in their work with Belarusian partners by VAT, which must be confirmed. We are located in Russia and act as a Russian legal entity, so we can take on all the issues ourselves, – explains Gennady Romanenko. – As intermediaries, we charge 0.7%, while in Russia, on average, companies charge from 10 to 30% for such services. According to the CEO, a full package of necessary documents is prepared, and the Belarusian side takes on logistics and delivery of goods. As they say, they organize a "turnkey" deal. The geography of cooperation with Russian entrepreneurs is wide, and this includes not only the regions of Central Russia, but also Tyumen, Krasnoyarsk, Primorsky Krai…

Speaking about the plans for this year, Gennady Romanenko noted that there will be a lot of interesting things. In the nearest future – in February – an exhibition dedicated to the Year of Quality is planned, the pavilion will present the best enterprises of Belarus, whose products have been highly appreciated and received a quality mark. And for buyers, the trade sections have already prepared pleasant discounts.

Familiar products

We walked through the sections, there really are discounts, and trade is going on. For example, you can get a discount of up to 50% on shoes. As the shop assistants noted, the "comfort" series shoes are especially popular with visitors. Buyers look, try on, take contact phone numbers. If a certain size is not available, it can be ordered. The service is free. Answering the question of "SOYUZ" why they buy Belarusian, buyers answered us almost the same, saying that Belarus has preserved all the standards and GOSTs that were used in the Soviet Union, which means that these are tasty and safe products, and their shoes are reliable and comfortable.

– When I get to VDNKh, I always go to the Belarusian pavilion, I use their cosmetics because they are hypoallergenic – this is mascara, lipstick and foundation, – shared Anastasia from the city of Pushkino. – On some samples of Western cosmetics and, unfortunately, sometimes here, it is also written "hypoallergenic", but I have an allergy. But if the Belarusians have it written, then it definitely won't be.

Belarusian goods are very popular in Orenburg and Tula, said Galina Petrovna Semenova from the city of Buzuluk in the Orenburg region and her sister from Tula. Galina Petrovna came as part of the folk ensemble "Souvenir" to a music festival in Moscow. Her sister from Tula, knowing that her sister would be in Moscow, also came, they decided to have a walk at VDNKh.

– I have known since my youth that Belarusian means quality. In Buzuluk, we really love dairy products, and you get tired of wearing shoes, but they are still good, – shared Galina Petrovna.

There is even a queue in the sweets department. Elena Vasilievna, a Muscovite, came to the skating rink. According to her, today is pension day, and as a pensioner she enjoys skating for free. She always drops by the Belarusian pavilion to buy sweets for her grandchildren, and they especially love Belarusian marmalade.