Lukashenka: “Beer is not a health hazard”

Alyaksandr Lukashenka counts on mutually beneficial cooperation with Heineken N.V. company.

“I’m satisfied that such big companies are coming to us,” A. Lukashenka said, meeting with a Heineken N.V CEO Jean-Francois van Boxmeer in Minsk, Interfax reports.

“Traditionally, we have a principal position. If a foreign company works in Belarus, irrelevant to where it comes from - from Netherlands, Great Britain or the U.S. – we regard it as our company and will support and defend it as if it were a Belarusian company,” the Belarusian head of state said.

According to him, Belarus “decided long time ago what it wants from all Belarusian and foreign companies, which work and will work at our brewery market.” “I’m interested in how effective the company will work, I mean commercial viability and profitability,” he said. Besides, A. Lukashenka paid his attention to issues of foreign brewing companies’ participation in manufacturing cycle “beginning with malting barley growing in Belarus.” In this connection A. Lukashenka said, “The main thing is that you show us the level we should come to. We will do it,” he said.

Secondly, according to him, “We’d like you help us to stop importing beer.” “The point is that such best companies in the world, as you, should produce high standard beer not only for inner market, but also for export,” the Belarusian president said.

Any business coming to Belarus, has social burden

Besides, A. Lukashenka said “we‘d not like to lose national brands and beer names, familiar to people,” when cooperating with Heineken N.V. “We’d not like such powerful company as Heineken to swallow our Belarusian companies,” A. Lukashenka emphasized. In this regard, he said “we will put interests of the state first, taking into consideration interests of Belarusian companies. So we’d like you to accommodate your opinions with them (Belarusian manufacturers – IF) and come to agreements.”

The Belarusian head of state stated less beer is consumed in Belarus that in other courtiers. “As far as we know, controlled beer drinking is not a health hazard,” the head of state noted. He also said “your company has much work in Belarus.”

A. Lukashenka also stated “any business coming to Belarus has social burden.” “Social aspect is of great importance for us, but we want it won’t harm you,” he noted. He also added, “We can’t say the foreign companies, working in Belarus, treat our people bad.”

Heineken N.V. CEO in turn said “over 15 years Eastern Europe market has been of immense importance” for the company. “We have been observing Belarus for a long time and are glad to take up cooperation with Belarus in practice,” J.-F. van Boxmeer said.

“We are satisfied that Syabar brewery is an enterprise with good personnel and equipment. It is a very good launch pad for our work in Belarus,” Heineken N.V. CEO said.