Lukashenko: OAO Kamvol’s upgrade should be done by 2015

MINSK, 17 December (BelTA) – President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has ordered to complete the renovation of OAO Kamvol by 2015. The President set this task as he visited the company on 17 December, BelTA has learnt.

Alexander Lukashenko studied the financial and economic performance of the company and toured the shop floors to see the equipment and working conditions of employees. The depreciation rate of the company’s equipment stands at 95.1%, with the depreciation rate of the major technological equipment making 88.4%. Some 82.5% of the equipment was made more than 20 years ago. The arrangement of the production facilities with 13-meter ceilings and heaters located under the ceiling leads to considerable energy consumption. It is almost as cold inside, as outside.

Alexander Lukashenko reminded that in 2008-2010 the company was provided with resources to buy new equipment. Now this equipment is the only thing that keeps the company afloat. The President asked why the company’s premises are not properly managed and why the reconstruction of the buildings has not started yet. The government suggests building a new company and implementing an investment project to commission a new high-tech complex to make four million running meters of worsted fabric per year. The project might be implemented together with a Turkish company. However, the head of state believes that the company should renovate the existing facilities, rather than build new ones. “It would be a shame if we wasted it while constructing something new!” he said. “These are capital facilities, we need to check the ceiling and the roof and fix them where needed. Bring new equipment and get down to work,” the head of state said. The President underlined that the company should be examined properly.

“You are losing the market. If needed, start working in five shifts and make the most of it to preserve the markets and to provide people with work,” the President said. Alexander Lukashenko instructed Minsk Mayor Nikolai Ladutko and a future head of Bellegprom Concern to submit their proposals on the further operation of the company: “How are we going to upgrade the company? Maybe, we will take one section at a time to renovate and commission new equipment there.”

Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that the forthcoming winter should become more enjoyable for the people working at the company. The President ordered to create adequate working conditions starting from today. “We need to protect the workers now. Think how you can do it and do it immediately, so that people will be able to work in good conditions, maybe use some inexpensive insulation to create a normal working environment,” the head of state said.

Alexander Lukashenko talked to the employees of the company and promised to restore OAO Kamvol. “The company will be fixed, I promise you, by the next winter. Either we restore this one, or build a new one. But I would prefer to restore this one,” the President said.