Penza, 5 May 2015. PenzaNews. Vasily Bochkarev, governor of the Penza region, visited the confectionery cluster enterprises on Tuesday, May 5.

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He was accompanied by regional minister of education Alexander Voronkov, deputy minister, head of the Business Development Department in the regional Ministry of Industry Alexei Kostin, vice mayor of Penza Sergei Simonov and other officials.

The first regional company to visit was LLC “VanSlad,” which produces products under the brand “Vanyushkiny Sladosti.”

A tour of the production ground placed in Zasechnaya village, Penzensky area was operated by LLC “VanSlad” director Natalia Kuzyakova.

She informed that at the moment the company produces 1,000 tons of products per month, including cookies, candy, marshmallows and souffle.

“Each of the workers puts her soul into it. Each product is made with love,” Natalia Kuzyakova noted, adding that Penza is considered to be the capital of the confectionery.

“The company staff value their job, because it is well-paid, provides a full benefits package, the best employees are encouraged. In addition, we provide our workers an opportunity for sanatorium rest at the company expense,” the “VanSlad” director said.

According to her, “Vanyushkiny Sladosti” products are in demand not only in the Penza region, but also in other regions of Russia and abroad.

“We have recently signed a contract and sent the products to America, Israel. Also entered into an agreement with the German chain store,” she said.

Immediately after, Vasily Bochkarev and the rest visited LLC “Rusprodukt.” The governor and company commercial director Dmitry Ryabushkin discussed the company needs in terms of employment, product range enlargement plans. The governor also tasted the confectionery products.

The next on the list of the regional enterprises was the company headed by individual entrepreneur Vladimir Golenkov.

Summing up what he saw, Vasily Bochkarev praised the companies of the regional confectionery cluster.

“Earlier we had only one famous Penza Confectionery Factory, and its products were always in short supply, but now we have more than 500 small and medium-sized businesses, and they produce a large range of products,” the governor noted.

He added that today the confectionery industry encourages the development of related industries, including agriculture and education and provides new jobs.

“I am happy to hear that the Penza products are supplied to Germany, Kazakhstan, China, Israel, in the Lugansk and Donetsk regions,” the head of the region said.

Vasily Bochkarev stressed that based on the visit, they will decide on the appropriate support of the confectionery producers, as well as the needs of the industry in terms of future staff training.

“Each company should be the base for the training of highly qualified workers,” the governor concluded.