Belshina: Belshina factory idled due to apparent Asian import competition

The Belshina tyre plant is scheduled to re-start production today (1 April 2015) after production ceased on 26 March, according to the Belarusian Independent Trade Union various (BITU), in a move that is seen as indicative of wider economic concerns and is blamed on low-cost Asian tyre imports. Artur Mikhalap, BITU chairman, commented: "The plant stopped completely, reason unknown to me, but the thinking is the same as in most enterprises - no market. Warehouses are filled up. According to my information the plant stopped only for five days, until April 1.