A. Lukashenko calls for greater activity from private business

May 10, Zaslavl / Tatyana Polozhay - BELTA /. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko calls on private business for greater activity. This issue was raised today during the head of state's visit to the private enterprise "Koswik" in Zaslavl, a BELTA correspondent reports. In particular, Alexander Lukashenko proposed that the head of this foreign enterprise consider the possibility of creating a similar production facility in any other settlement in Belarus. The President emphasized that the state, in turn, is ready to participate in this process. At the same time, the President demands greater activity from local authorities in attracting entrepreneurs to invest in new production facilities. The head of state also urged officials to make greater use of local raw materials in production. The foreign enterprise "Koswik" was established with the participation of Canadian capital and focuses on the production of parquet and engineered flooring from oak and ash. Koswick solid wood floors were first introduced to the market in 1995. The round timber used by the company for parquet production is harvested during sanitary logging and does not lead to a reduction in oak and ash forests. The enterprise closely cooperates with local organizations for the protection and maintenance of the environment and forest resources. All production waste in the form of sawdust and offcuts is recycled: partly burned in its own boiler room for heating premises, partly converted into briquettes and pellets, which are widely used as fuel for heating homes. In January-March of this year, the enterprise produced products worth Br10.2 billion, which is 72.4% higher than in the same period last year. For 2011, the planned production volume is at least Br48 billion. The enterprise also plans to expand the geography of product supplies and enter new markets in CIS countries. Export of products in 2011 is expected to be at least $10 million. PE "Koswik" has a wide dealer network worldwide and successfully exports its products to Canada, the USA, the UK, Greece, Germany, the Baltic countries, Russia, and others. Alexander Lukashenko inspected the gluing, finishing, and packaging workshops, and viewed an exhibition of finished products. -0-