Where are businesses investing? We found out which Belarusian city a protein bar manufacturer has chosen for investment.

For several years now, every third ruble in the budget has come from private business. Moreover, manufacturing ranks high on the list of the most in-demand areas of activity.

Why did a protein bar manufacturer choose this particular district for investment? What enterprise employs entire families here, one way or another? We HEAD to Bykhov to understand why it's so attractive to entrepreneurs.

One district, two projects.

Just 30 years ago, about a third of Bykhov was an elite, closed military town. The Baltic Fleet's naval aviation division was stationed here, and the local airfield was considered one of the largest in Europe. In 1996, the division ceased to exist, leaving behind more than 500 buildings: barracks, warehouses, headquarters, and much more. They're still looking for a new role for it. For example, more than five years ago, a meat-packing plant

was located in a former sailors' mess hall , a store in an officers' mess hall, a shopping center in one barracks, a church in another, the local education department in the infirmary, and a children's art school in the division headquarters. And this year, another building was repurposed, this time for a small production facility. For now, the factory where the candy bars will be made is quiet and uncrowded. The installation of the production line was recently completed, and the cleaning of the premises is also underway. The workshop is permeated with the unmistakable smell of recently assembled equipment (it's unmistakable), which is planned to be put into operation in just a month or six weeks. Yuriy Nekrashevich, DIRECTOR of Tvikers LLC, explains why the decision was made to open the new production facility in the outback, rather than in the capital, where he lives with his family: "We found a building here that met all the criteria: area, size, utilities, location. It was in more or less decent condition, and it was also possible to lease it rather than buy it outright." This wasn't the entrepreneur's luck, but the local government's pragmatic approach to regional development. Anna Kondratieva, Deputy Chair of the Bykhov District Executive Committee, explains: when a building becomes unused, they try to rent it out. If no one takes it, they sell it for a small price, even if it's just one base unit, currently equal to 42 rubles. Of course, the future owner will have to invest a significant amount in renovations, but even with these additional costs, a business located outside the ring road has a major advantage: for seven years from the date of registration, the company is exempt from property taxes.








, profit, and income tax, if it has a certificate of production of its own. "Often, unused buildings are auctioned off for thousands of rubles, with the price slowly being lowered. All this time, they deteriorate, deteriorate, and, naturally, attract less and less interest from potential buyers. Eventually, they deteriorate to the point where no one wants them even at the base price," notes Anna Alekseyevna. "We take a different approach: we first try to rent out unused property, and if there are no takers, we put it up for sale at the base price, understanding that this increases the chances of finding an investor for the building. Let them set up a business there , and we'll receive taxes for the budget, as well as new jobs. In the long term, this is not only more profitable for the district financially, but also provides it with an opportunity to develop." Thanks to this approach by local authorities, a farmer purchased one of the vacant buildings in Bykhovshchina for use as a warehouse. A local entrepreneur opened a store in another building. Even the fertilizer manufacturer AgroSiva once purchased the building for just one base price.

Yuri Nekrashevich has already invested heavily in renovating the former factory premises, where plastic caps were once produced. The next major expenditure on the plan is on raw materials.

"We want to produce various bars, including protein bars. The ingredients for our products will be sourced from various countries. For example, coconut flakes from Indonesia. We EXPORT some raw materials from RUSSIA, and some will be imported from regions of Belarus. We know for sure that the sweets will contain domestic SUGAR and MILK powder . Whey protein concentrate may also be included—we're negotiating this with a company in Shchuchin," the director clarifies .

Incidentally, the protein bar production initiative was included in the "One District—One Project" program in 2023. This case of Twickers LLC confirms that businesses of all types, not just state-owned ones, can apply for this resource. Everyone is on an absolutely equal footing to receive support if they propose ideas that will create jobs in the region and contribute to the development of the area. Yuriy Nekrashevich expects a fairly rapid return on investment. After all, experts predict that the protein bar market will continue to grow in the near future. This is easy to explain: people around the world are becoming more health-conscious, many are switching to healthy eating or dieting, and hitting the gym. And protein bars are the ideal supplement to the diet of those watching their figure. Furthermore, the younger generation, who don't want to spend time preparing meals, believes that protein bars are a substitute for a healthy diet.

"They contain essential nutrients—proteins, fats, and carbohydrates—as well as minerals and vitamins. This product can be used both as sports nutrition and as an excellent alternative to sweet snacks," says the director of Twickers LLC.

He admits that competition in this segment is generally fierce. But it can be won by emphasizing the renowned Belarusian quality, which has become a national brand.

"We have virtually no protein bar manufacturers. That means this niche is practically vacant in our industry. Almost everything we see in stores is from Russia," notes Yuri Nekrashevich. "At the same time, we have a major advantage: Belarusian products are highly valued not only domestically but also abroad. They are highly regarded by Russians, so we have a good opportunity to enter this market. We are focused on export . "
The new factory will have 13 people to handle its production program. Only half the staff has been hired so far; the remaining positions will be filled once the products are certified. Work on this is currently underway. The Bykhov-based company plans to produce 40 tons per month. If demand is strong, capacity may be increased. This means additional jobs. Bar production is far from the only investment project in Bykhov. Another local pride is the power plant owned by EnergoLesTekhKompleks LLC, the largest in the country to run on wood waste.
The plant was launched in November of last year. It already converts 500 cubic meters of wood chips into electricity daily, powering the entire district.

The technology used in Bykhov is considered unique, and the team of specialists is considered top-notch. Shift supervisor Alexey Dedkov, for example, has been working in the energy sector for 15 years. Previously working at the Mogilev Thermal Power Plant, Alexey now commutes to Bykhov from the regional center every day. He learned to operate the high-tech installation at the power plant while it was still being installed, so he knows the design like the back of his hand. He can describe the entire process chain blindfolded. Like the Bykhov residents who work at the power plant, he is convinced that small towns desperately need such modern facilities. They help retain young people, and they provide experienced specialists with the opportunity to develop professionally. Take the power plant, for example.

Digitalization is currently trending in the energy sector. And the power plant offers the opportunity to learn these technologies. After all, digitalization is ubiquitous at the plant. Innovations are even present in the warehouses: for example, an automated 3D scanner determines the volume of cargo. This technology guarantees speed and accuracy in raw material quality control.

Currently, the power plant employs almost 90 people, but this is far from the final figure on the staffing table. When the investment project is completed, there will be 141 workers. The Bykhov power plant's investment project also included the construction of a multi-purpose plant. It will be capable of producing not only fuel pellets but also alfalfa biopellets—a protein supplement for animal feed.

EnergoLesTekhKompleks LLC emphasizes that the green energy used here replaces natural gas and petroleum products, which are imported into the country. This benefits not only the economy but also the environment.

Incidentally, in the Mogilev region, energy sources using local fuels, including pellets, are being actively built. This is part of the state energy conservation program.

As for the Bykhov power plant, this project is another successful example of public-private partnership. The investment in the business idea was considerable, but the return is expected to be commensurate: not only the full repayment of the loan at a low interest rate, but also new jobs, decent wages, and a significant contribution to the development of the region, and therefore the entire country.

The Return of the "Master-Owner."

In recent years, not only the buildings of the former military unit but also a landmark enterprise have received a new lease of life in the city.

The Bykhov Canning and Vegetable Drying Plant has a complex history. Founded in 1929 to produce acetone, it was re-purposed as a food processing plant in 1950. In modern-day Belarus, this enterprise has become one of the largest producers of canned fruit and vegetable products, producing over 200 types of preserves under the brands "Master-Owner" and "Zakatki s gryadki."
Local residents recall entire families bringing surplus harvests from their farms here. It meant work for the plant and a boost in income.
In 2014, it became clear that the company was in dire straits. So much so that the government was forced to appoint a crisis manager. However, over the next 17 years, production volumes continued to decline and debts grew. Finally, in 2022, the plant was officially declared bankrupt. Everything changed in 2023, when an investor arrived – the Russian company Express-Kuban.

"I worked in the food industry for a long time, but in the Krasnodar Territory. When I was offered the directorship of the Bykhov Canning Plant, I didn't think twice. Believe me, I didn't come here for the big bucks. I was simply curious to see if I could launch an entire enterprise from scratch. To some extent, I knew this was my 'demobilization chord,' since I went to Belarus at age 50," says director Ayub Abdulmuslimov.
He half-jokingly notes that he came here also because he'd heard that our country had changed little since the Soviet era. He wanted to see the reality.

"I'll put it this way: it's a great place to live and work. The people are wonderful – kind, sincere, friendly, honest. If anything from the Soviet era has been preserved here, it's only the best. But even so, it's impossible to say that Belarus is stuck in the Soviet era," the director is confident. "And for those who think otherwise, my opinion is: if this is what the Soviet Union looks like to you, then God bless every country with such a 'sovok'."

He smiles as he reflects on the vicissitudes of fate. He recalls how, back in 2003-2004, he called this Bykhov enterprise with an offer to buy peas, but was turned down: the plant didn't have any surplus raw materials at the time. Two decades later, Ayub Aslambekovich, having become the manager here, faced the same problem. No one wanted to supply vegetables to a company with a well-established reputation for bankruptcy—neither local residents nor farmers.

Outdated information was being passed around in the Bykhov district: the plant doesn't pay for surplus harvests—it only gives you empty promises.

"The only thing that saved us in the first year was that the company had its own fields. We mainly worked on what we harvested from them. We searched all over the country for zucchini and pumpkin. By some miracle, we managed to persuade a farmer near MINSK to plant zucchini for our order. At the same time, we did everything we could to change people's attitudes toward the plant. We got local authorities involved. They helped gather farmers and residents of the Bykhov region so we could explain to them that the company was no longer bankrupt, that we were ready to buy their harvest and pay well for it, and very quickly. Now we pay everyone within three days of raw material delivery," the director emphasizes. "There are no shortages of anything." We are fully supplied with raw materials, largely thanks to the farmers.
He happily notes that, thanks to their joint efforts, they were able to convince people to start collaborating. Moreover, they managed to interest several farmers in growingPeas in their fields specifically for the plant's needs.

"This is beneficial for all parties," Ayub Aslambekovich is confident. "We gain additional raw materials, which is important for the company, since canned peas are a top seller. Well-known Russian brands are also very interested in this product. Farmers, in turn, have the opportunity to sow a crop in their fields that is an excellent precursor to other crops, especially grains. In areas where peas were planted last year, their yield increased by 50%!

We are ready to assist those interested in everything: consulting on seeds, conveyors, and agronomic issues. We also harvest peas in the fields of our partner farmers using our own equipment – ​​we have combine harvesters. Our specialist also oversees all agronomic work for this crop. Incidentally, we are currently preparing our fields for next year. In 2026, we plan to convert 550 hectares to pea cultivation.

Perhaps the current plant's reputation for defaulting on payments is the only negative legacy it inherited from its predecessor. Otherwise, the director assures us, there were no problems.

"It's very good that the authorities managed to preserve this plant as a whole—it wasn't broken up or sold off piecemeal. The equipment, buildings, structures, and land—all were in good condition, which is why investors were interested. But most importantly, the core team remains here, thanks to which we were able not only to continue producing products under the 'Khozyain-Barin' brand but also to begin fulfilling orders from other major manufacturers," explains Ayub Abdulmuslimov.

He notes that he is grateful to his partners for their trust and for the opportunity to grow together. After all, from time to time, the Bykhov plant begins to master completely new recipes using ingredients they hadn't worked with before.

"For example, up until a certain point, we hadn't made adjika. And none of us had ever worked with hot peppers. But then a customer for this type of product appeared. And through joint efforts, we mastered the production of adjika, in two varieties: Abkhazian and hot. In total, we now produce over 30 types of canned goods," says Tatyana Oliferchik, head of the production laboratory. "The company has seven production lines, which we launch based on seasonality. These include a line of natural canned goods - beans, peas, and corn; a first-class lunch line - cabbage soup, borscht, solyanka, and rassolnik; a marinade line - cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers; a juice line - nectars and juices; and a snack line - appetizers and solyanka. We can even ferment cabbage ourselves - we have a separate section for that."
The plant's director shares an observation: food culture is changing. Single-ingredient products are fading into the background, giving way to complex, multi-ingredient canned goods—essentially, ready-made meals, canned in jars. 

"People in big cities don't have time to cook. They want to come home and heat up a pre-prepared meal .""Or microwave canned goods, grab a snack, and then do other things," explains Ayub Abdulmuslimov. "People usually find time to cook on weekends. And not everyone does. I know quite a few people who prefer going to a café or restaurant on Saturdays and Sundays rather than standing at the stove.

An aseptic line is about to launch at the Bykhov Canning Factory. It will allow them to prepare their own raw materials that can be processed throughout the year, such as purees—apple, carrot, and pumpkin.

" "We recently installed a vacuum evaporation unit for squash caviar production to increase capacity. Before that, we significantly upgraded the production line: we replaced the conveyors and bought a second palletizer for receiving canned goods," explains Tatyana Vladimirovna. "In general, with the arrival of the new owner, everything has changed here. The enterprise has finally come to life, become strong and promising. I'm very happy about this, because I came to work at the plant in 2014 and witnessed every stage of its decline. I was worried, of course.

Amidst all the production and economic upheavals at the Bykhov plant in the 2010s, the operator Tamara Moiseyeva, affectionately known here as Adamovna for 50 years, was also torn apart. Over her half-century at the plant, she's seen a lot, but 2014 and the years that followed proved the most difficult for her. It was sad to see her beloved enterprise go under. But when the new owner arrived, I was worried: she's getting old, maybe they won't want to keep the "old guard" at the plant."

"They extended my contract and are giving me the most important job—I can't complain," 75-year-old Adamovna cheerfully reports.

She assures me that although she now works 12 hours, she's no more tired, and maybe even less, than she was 50 years ago, when shifts lasted eight hours. "Back then, it was all manual labor. And what now? There are buttons everywhere—all you have to do is press them. I've already worked in every section, and everything works out. The equipment is excellent. It was easy to start working on it because the teachers are good: they'll give you advice and show you everything," the operator recounts. "
They buy additional equipment from the Bykhov plant and for specific orders—if you manufacture it without it, the product won't work." Ayub Abdulmuslimov approaches such expenses strategically: 

"I understand perfectly well that orders like these give us the opportunity to grow, improve, and enhance our skills. High-demand brands raise our factory to their high standards and help us stay on the cutting edge because they understand exactly what customers want. I always tell my employees: it's better to experience a stressful situation followed by progress than to remain in our comfort zone and work the old way. We don't have the concept of 'we can't do it.' We must be able to!" ■

DIRECT SPEECH
Anna Kondratieva, Deputy Chairperson of the Bykhov District Executive Committee:

The Bykhov district is an agro-industrial one. Our territory is home to Belmit, a branch of Servolux Agro, one of the leading MEAT processing companies in Belarus; Agrolink, a CJSC specializing in the production of hatching eggs and day-old chicks; and the Bykhov Canning Plant, the country's largest producer of canned fruit and vegetable products, as well as the only manufacturer of peat-based fuel briquettes in the Mogilev region. A large-scale rainbow trout production facility is located in the village of Kosichi in the Bykhov district. I believe many customers across the country are familiar with the products of our branch of Babushkina Krynka , a joint-stock company that produces butter and dry dairy products, as well as the production site of the Domochay bakery and confectionery company.

We understand that modernizing production is essential for the stable operation of the real economy, which often requires attracting investment. The bulk of these funds are typically used for construction and installation work, as well as the purchase of machinery and equipment.

The Bykhov Forestry Enterprise and eight agricultural enterprises also make significant contributions to the district's development. The investment cycle in the agricultural sector is ongoing. Specifically, the Mokryansky Agro State Unitary Enterprise is currently building a dairy farm for 756 cows, scheduled for completion by the end of the year.

Furthermore, our business community is actively developing: 538 individual entrepreneurs and 161 private organizations contribute to the budget. Every year, small and medium-sized businesses account for over 30% of budget revenue. I would also like to note that our businessmen have twice won the national "Entrepreneur of the Year" competition.

The stable operation of our enterprises, modernization of production, and the attraction of investment to the region are creating increasingly comfortable living conditions. Major home renovations are underway in the district, courtyards and kindergarten grounds are being improved, and efforts to provide adequate drinking water continue: since the beginning of the year, four stations and mini-stations have been commissioned in rural areas, and two more are under construction.

We pay close attention to road repair and maintenance, given the district's large area and the length of its transport routes. This year, we completed major renovations of two buildings of the district hospital, installing new, modern equipment.

Of course, the sports and recreation infrastructure is also being improved. We have a modern fitness center, two swimming pools, martial arts and team sports halls, and a gym. We also plan to install stands for spectators and substitutes at the football stadium, and are actively developing the Chyhyryn Reservoir area and the Chyhyrynka tourist cluster.

I am confident that the Bykhov District's potential is enormous and far from exhausted. This gives us the opportunity to continue dynamically developing in all areas.

Photo by Tatyana Matusevich