On December 13, Vitebsk /Diana Kurilo - BELTA/. The joint Belarusian-Russian limited liability company "Belwest" has developed a business plan for the creation of a footwear holding, the general director of the enterprise, Yuri Sumaneev, informed a BELTA correspondent. The creation of the holding reflects the natural process of development and consolidation of the company, which, growing economically, acquires new functions and divisions, and reaches new horizons of vision. Large companies find it easier to establish themselves and compete in foreign markets, which is why successful companies worldwide follow this path, the interlocutor emphasized. "Currently, "Belwest" is one of the largest companies in footwear production and sales not only in Belarus but also in the CIS, which in essence is already a holding. The Head of State has set the enterprise the task of doubling footwear production volumes by 2016, which requires the development of a feasibility study and a business plan for the creation of "Belwest Holding," he said. The enterprise is ready to continue developing, not resting on its laurels. Thus, the business plan envisages a threefold increase in footwear production volumes – "Belwest" will produce at least 6 million pairs in 2018, which will allow it to consolidate its leading position in the post-Soviet space. The implementation of such an ambitious project will require attracting over $130 million in foreign investment solely into the enterprise's fixed capital. According to Yuri Sumaneev, in the implementation of the project, the enterprise intends to use both its own profits and investments from third-party partners. Currently, "Belwest" is negotiating with a number of specialized and portfolio investors: leading global footwear manufacturers and investment funds are expressing interest in the project's implementation. Belarusian-Russian LLC "Belwest" is one of the largest footwear manufacturers in Belarus. The enterprise was established in June 1988 with the participation of the Vitebsk footwear factory "Krasny Oktyabr" and the German company Salamander, and is one of the first joint ventures in the territory of the former Soviet Union. At the end of 2002, "Belwest" became a Belarusian-Russian enterprise – the share of the German company was bought out by the Russian enterprise "Politex". Currently, the state owns 55% of the authorized capital of LLC "Belwest", with the remaining shares owned by a Russian investor. -0-

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