Several Estonian manufacturers continue to use production facilities in Belarus, despite Russia’s war in Ukraine and the country’s sanctions.
Wednesday’s “Aktuaalne kaamera” explored the steps that corporations that have traditionally produced their products in Belarus have taken since February.
The program found that some, though all, corporations had switched suppliers.
The Marat clothing logo replaced its production at the beginning of the summer. Before that, he worked in a factory in Belarus for a decade.
Raul Saks, director of the Sangar and Marat brands, said the war had made paintings in Belarus “morally and physically in all aspects. “But it took time to close the procedure,
“It’s transparent that production may not just not shut down on the first day, there were products that were in preparation, fabrics had been produced and bought, we stopped,” Saks said.
Marat’s velvet suits and garments are now produced in Pakistan.
Even if sanctions are lifted, production will not return to Belarus, he said. Supply chains have now been created in Pakistan and the company is in a stronger position than before.
The software company Helmes also operated in Belarus for a decade, but still did not move after the large-scale invasion began. Employees were presented with relocation packages and 90% accepted.
“We opened offices in Poland and Georgia and helped our staff through this complicated process. Whether it’s transportation, how to move your circle of relatives to another country, find housing, with all the paperwork. There were many other problems, even getting mental help,” Katariina Roosipuu, Helmes’ marketing manager, told AK.
However, the indexed company Silvano Fashion Group still owns 3 factories in Belarus. The company declined to comment on the situation.
The forestry company Kaamos Timber still produces timber in Belarus. The company’s representatives refused to be interviewed via AK. But one production stated in an observation is now heading to China rather than the EU.
Statistics Estonia refused to provide data on Estonian companies operating in Belarus, which raised legal confidentiality requirements.
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