To ensure that a diverse range of food products find their consumers and meet buyer demands, trade organisations and private entrepreneurs selling food products must constantly study demand and enrich their product range in a timely manner. It is also important not to forget the necessity of ensuring the high quality of the food products offered and setting reasonable prices for them.

It was precisely to ensure the harmonious functioning of the "producer-trade-buyer" chain that a presentation of various food products manufactured by enterprises of the Vitebsk region was organised in the district executive committee's meeting hall for the management staff of the district consumer cooperative and private retail outlets of Lepel region. For example, representatives of the well-known regional brand "Vitba" demonstrated their diverse range of juices, sauces, ketchups, chocolate bars, and other numerous delicacies, proposing to establish business contacts and conclude supply agreements for the retail network.

Managers of the Orsha Meat Processing Plant spoke about their high-quality and uniquely flavoured sausages and meat products. The dialogue with employees of the Tolochin Canning Plant, Vitebsk and Polotsk Wineries, Vitebsk Distillery, and other enterprises proved to be interesting and informative.

During the organised presentation, there was a mutual exchange of views. In particular, the Deputy Chairman of the District Executive Committee, Vitaliy Dmitriev, reported that in the first two months of 2011, compared to the corresponding period of the previous year, the товарооборот (turnover) for the city and district at comparable prices increased by 15 percent. It is important not to slow down the pace achieved. He reminded that the assortment is now formed by the heads of trade organisations and private shops themselves, so buyers should undoubtedly be offered goods from Russia and other foreign countries, however, priority should still be given to Belarusian producers. Attention was drawn to the fact that retail outlets should now close no earlier than 7 PM, so that people can visit them after work.

The Chief State Sanitary Doctor of Lepel District, Galina Avdieevich, reported on the results of inspections. The main shortcomings identified were: the sale of food products without labels indicating the manufacturing enterprise; attempts to sell expired goods; and unsatisfactory sanitary conditions of retail outlets. Those responsible have been brought to administrative liability.

 Volha Ivanova, leading specialist of the price policy department of the regional executive committee's economy committee, drew the attention of those present to the specifics of current pricing and the maintenance of state price regulation for socially important goods.

 Lyudmila Yfimienka, deputy head of the district statistics department, informed about changes in statistical reporting and the deadlines for submitting data.

 Mikala Harbachou