8 November, Minsk /BELTA correspondent/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has supported the idea of establishing a large leather and fur enterprise on the basis of the Vitebsk Fur Combine. This was reported to BELTA by the press service of the Belarusian leader following a meeting on the development of the leather and footwear industry. "The Governor of the Vitebsk region proposed to create a powerful leather and fur enterprise on the basis of the Vitebsk Fur Combine with the participation of Marko and Belvest. One of the Korean firms has already shown interest in investing in this enterprise," the press service noted. "Thus, we would create a leather and fur enterprise that would provide finished raw materials and components. And then we would indeed reduce imports by about 70%," said the Governor of the Vitebsk region, Alexander Kosinets. Nikolai Martynov, General Director of SOOO "Marko", reported that a framework agreement has already been signed with the Korean firm, and they would like to build or modernize a tannery in Belarus. Alexander Kosinets also said that the Marko and Belvest enterprises may reach production volumes of 12 million pairs of shoes by the end of 2015, which is twice the current level. Alexander Lukashenko supported this project, promising to provide certain preferences if necessary. "If you are ready, prepare a draft decree for this specific association. Then Gatovo (Minsk Leather Production Association OJSC in the village of Gatovo, Minsk region. - BELTA note) and your fur combine will be sufficient," the President said.-0-

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