Prospects for the Textile and Clothing Industries in Belarus

published in Issue 104, March-April 2003   Report price: Euro 275.00; US$ 365.00

Belarus is one of the leading producers of textiles, clothing and related products in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). It is also the CIS?s largest man-made fibre producer.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Belarusian textile and clothing industries?especially clothing?held up better than those in most other former Soviet republics because of government policies aimed at sustaining output and employment. Belarus was able to flood CIS markets with cheap and high quality goods while enterprises in other former Soviet republics were being forced to close.

But the government failed to implement the economic reforms needed to make the country internationally competitive. Consequently, the textile and clothing industries were not compelled to address their shortcomings. Many firms today suffer from overmanning and inefficiency, are saddled with obsolete equipment and large debts, and are starved of working capital and investment resources. Few are profitable, and most face competition from producers in Russia, other CIS countries and South Asia. Further bankruptcies seem likely.

However, the industry does have a number of competitive advantages: labour costs are low, the workforce is qualified and disciplined, and the sector has strong links with Russian markets. Also, equipment is more modern in private companies and joint ventures. The new president of Bellegprom is well aware of the pressing need to accelerate the privatisation process and attract foreign investment.

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