Access of Belarusian manufacturers of agricultural products to federal retail chains in Moscow will be discussed in Minsk

        Access of Belarusian manufacturers of agricultural products to federal retail chains in Moscow will be discussed in Minsk on 26 August, BelTA quotes Alexei Bogdanov, Head of the Central Office for Foreign Economic Activities of the Belarusian Agriculture and Food Ministry. According to the source, Alexei Nemeryuk, Head of the Trade and Services Department of Moscow, is expected to lead a representative delegation of Moscow’s major retail chains to Belarus. The sides will sign contracts on supplies of Belarusian foods to Moscow and the oblast for the period till the end of the year and for the next year, said Alexei Bogdanov. In late July 2014 Prime Minister of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich pointed out the need to increase the share of direct shipments to retail chains during the government conference held to discuss the competition of Belarusian products on the Russian market. Direct contracts will allow Belarusian producers to bypass mediators and plan their own manufacturing as well as export in a way to avoid damaging the domestic food market, noted Alexei Bogdanov. It is particularly topical in view of the decision of Moscow retail chains to reduce the requirements that manufacturers have to face, including Belarusian ones, following the relevant proposals of the Moscow authorities.