Belarus needs additional measures to promote the logistics industry, Prime Minister of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich said as he paid a visit to logistics centers of Minsk Oblast on 23 July, BelTA has learned.

Mikhail Myasnikovich got acquainted with the construction of the logistics center in the village of Rakov, Volozhin District, and the operation of the logistics complex in the village of Tabory, Minsk District. He listened to investors’ proposals regarding the improvement of the legal framework. The program of logistics system development till 2015 has been recently discussed at the session of the Council of Ministers’ Presidium.

Mikhail Myasnikovich stressed that the Customs Union provides more opportunities to boost the cargo flow. Belarus should use its geographical position and create favorable conditions for logistics projects. More than ten logistics centers are currently been built in Minsk Oblast with the help of investors.

According to Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Rumas, Belarus’ legislation needs amendments to raise the competitiveness of the logistics industry. Particularly, in spite of the existing measures, the management of documents gives rise to criticism. For instance, the work that is now performed by 15 people in Belarus, is done by six people in Lithuania. “The country successfully implements the program to develop the logistics network and attracts private business to the industry. The program gave an impetus to developing this industry, however, there are certain problems with the legal framework which is necessary to simplify in order to raise the efficiency of this activity,” Sergei Rumas said.

The first site which was visited by Mikhail Myasnikovich is the transport and logistics center in the village of Rakov, Volozhin District, which is 85% complete. The first order is to be commissioned in September. The volume of investments will make up €21.5 million. Heads of foreign companies mentioned good prospects of the Belarusian logistics industry and thanked local authorities for their support.

The Prime Minister also visited the logistics complex in the village of Tabory which was commissioned in May 2011 and is not still used at its full capacity. It is one of the first logistics operators in the country with the 3PL level. The center provides logistics services in line with the “manufacturer-consumer” scheme with the minimal number of participants in the process. The logistics center has 290 employees, however, there are plans to raise the number of employees after the introduction of new facilities.

Mikhail Myasnikovich stressed that the country should have more facilities of this kind, logistics centers are to provide all kinds of services. The parties also discussed the creation of the association of logistics companies in Belarus.