A Belarusian enterprise near the city of Hrodna has started using a new automated production management system known as “Gulf Stream”, thanks to support from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) programme “Advice for Small Businesses”.
This support covered 60% of the total cost of implementation and was provided within the framework of the EU4Business initiative. A new article published by EU4Business explains how it has been a game changer for Aliaksandr Danilau and Uladzislau Kazlousky, two young entrepreneurs whose company producing special packaging for fruit and vegetables has grown almost six-fold in the past three years.
The company currently employs 120 people who work in shifts, with 100 people working on production lines. Over the course of one shift, one worker can produce up to 1,000 small packages or up to 300 large ones. The baskets are made from aspen, a natural antiseptic, which preserves fruits and vegetables in their fresh state for a long time. The production process is environmentally friendly, and the packaging is completely biodegradable.
Funded by the EU, the Advice for Small Businesses programme has been in operation since 2011. It started out as a regional initiative covering the six Eastern partner countries, including Belarus, and since 2017 has been a national programme aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises. It helps businesses to grow and develop by increasing entrepreneurial skills, financial literacy, and the ability to adjust to markets at home and abroad.
