Bellegprom head’s detention may be connected with modernisation

The Investigation Committee informed about the detention of Bellegprom head Mihail Suchkov and director of Slonim worsted fabrics factory on February 24. They were accused of bribery.

There is too much corruption in the Belarusian light industry now, Leanid Zaika thinks. It may be caused by moving enterprises out of the capital. Corruption may also be caused by the announced light industry modernisation plans, the expert said:

Zaika: "A lot of corruption is connected with purchasing new equipment. About $150 million was spent on it in the light industry a few years ago. Moreover, modernization means money that can be misappropriated.”

To get out of this corruption trap, the light industry should be denationalized and the concern Bellegprom should not exist, the economist thinks.

Zaika: “The light industry is ready to be represented by medium and small enterprises. We do not need huge ‘dinosaurs’ here. Big enterprises were needed to supplying the Soviet Army with uniform for 3 million people. Or Komsomol members. Or something else… ”

Photo: Fotolia