The plant of the international holding "Modern-Expo" has opened in Vitebsk

The launch of the plant has created more than 200 jobs for the city, and their number will increase in the future. The production area of the enterprise on the territory of the acquired unused premises of OJSC "Vityaz" is 25 thousand sq.m and is equipped with the latest metalworking technologies. Unique machines and equipment for Belarus are installed here - the automation of the production process reaches 80%. The company is a resident of the "Vitebsk" free economic zone.

The products manufactured at the plant will be supplied to the Customs Union countries and European markets. A total of over $8 million has been invested in construction, repair, and equipment. "This project will significantly strengthen Belarus's export potential," emphasized the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Nikolai Sherstnev, at the opening. - The products manufactured here also contribute to import substitution. All this will be reflected in the company's profit, employees' wages, and the replenishment of the regional budget. I am confident that the investor, neither from Ukraine nor from Poland, will regret their decision in favor of Vitebsk."

The Ambassador of Poland to Belarus, Konrad Pawlik, noted that the launch of the production plant for commercial equipment of the international holding "Modern-Expo" in Vitebsk will become an example for other Polish investors.

"Today's event speaks volumes about the opportunities for economic cooperation between Belarus and Poland. This project represents the largest amount of Polish investment in the Vitebsk region. The success of "Modern-Expo" at this site will serve as an example for other Polish investors. Of course, the embassy's task is to showcase such successes, facilitate such projects, and develop cooperation. Investments are not only new production, technology transfer, and new jobs. It is also an increase in

export. "Modern-Expo" is the largest manufacturer of trade equipment in Central and Eastern Europe. And the products manufactured in Vitebsk will go not only to the domestic market but also for export to the Customs Union countries and Europe," emphasized Konrad Pavlik.

The guests of the celebration included not only the leadership of the region and the city, but also representatives of foreign delegations, embassies, and enterprises – participants of the VI International Economic Forum "Innovations. Investments. Prospects," which began its work in Vitebsk today. The opening of an enterprise with foreign investments and an excursion through the production facilities best demonstrated the region's potential for investing capital and technologies in business creation and development.

"For us, this is not just the opening of another plant, it is the opening of new opportunities," stated Petr Pilipjuk, General Director of Modern-Expo Group. "We believed that Belarus is the best country for investment in Eastern Europe. And the Vitebsk region has created the best conditions for doing business. And we believe that together with the residents of Vitebsk, we will create the best enterprise in the industry within the territory of the Customs Union."

The capabilities of the latest equipment allow for the production of a wide range of configurations and modifications from metal, plastic, cardboard, and chipboard. The production capacity is 1 thousand tons of metal per month. And this is only for now – only the first phase of the project has been launched, and one-third of the purchased area is in use.

The investor's plans include a second launch complex, which will involve a large volume of production, as well as domestic facilities for employees. With the third launch complex, the entire area of the building will be utilized. Construction work is already underway in the workshop where branded equipment will be produced. In the future, Vitebsk plans to produce a full spectrum of products for trade from the holding's portfolio: refrigeration equipment,

trading and warehouse shelving, POS equipment, checkout counters, etc. The company's products are already present in the country's largest retail chains. Modern-Expo Group is an international holding company, one of the leaders in Europe in the production and supply of retail equipment. The Vitebsk plant became the third production site; all of them are located in Eastern Europe. The company has been operating in the market for 23 years.

The staff numbers over 3,000 people, with offices located in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany, France, the UK, and the UAE. The holding's supply geography covers more than 60 countries worldwide. Among "Modern-Expo's" clients are such companies as Carrefour, Auchan, Metro, Real, MacDonalds, Intermarche, Leclerc, Zabka, AlSafeer, British American Tobacco, Hills, Gazpromneft, X5 Retail Group, Lenta, Magnit, Evroopt, Korona, OMA, Vitalur, Buslik, Sosedi, Domashniy, and others.

Ekaterina Knyazeva. Photos by Alexander Khitrov. BELTA.