Penza, 17 February 2016. PenzaNews. The authorities and the business must intensify the joint efforts to bring Penza products to big store chains, suggested the governor Ivan Belozertsev during the meeting of food producers and representatives of trade companies.

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The meeting that had taken place three months before brought forth positive changes, but the joint work is only beginning, he pointed out.

“We would like, that is my position which I will pursue, […] the goods by Penza producers to find their niche, so that we would actively sell it in store chains that are working in the Penza region,” Ivan Belozertsev said.

According to the governor, the 38 brand stores and 12 departments opened in the Penza region under the program “Choose Penza Goods – Support Us!” is not enough.

During the meeting, Nina Bogach, head of the Department of Produce Market and Licensing under the Penza region Agriculture Ministry, announced that the work with store chains will focus on improving pricing policy on socially vital goods produced in the region.

“In 2016, we plan to hold meetings with guided tours to processing enterprises where store chains will be able to see the whole process – from production to shipping,” she said, adding that the first visit, scheduled in late February, will allow store representatives to learn more about the work of the meat processing factory.

Ivan Belozertsev urged to pay particular attention to quality of Penza-made goods and prevent the reputation of the region being tarnished due to activities of standalone bad suppliers.

“Better make it 5 rubles more expensive, but with good products, so that people would have nothing against us. Everything must be honest, transparent and easy to understand,” the head of the region stressed.

He also placed the emphasis on alcohol production.

“The income to budget from sales of alcohol products that are produced in the Penza land and sold not only in our store chains […] helped increase excise budget income by 29%,” the governor explained.

According to Nina Bogach, the sales of locally produced alcohol in store chains showed a positve trend in 2015.

“We see [an increase by] 3% in ‘Magnit,’ by 7% in ‘Albion’ and ‘Bristol,’ by 8% in ‘Atak,’ by 37% in ‘Lenta’,” she clarified.

Ivan Belozertsev expressed his disappointment over the trend demonstrated by “Duty Free” chain and its increase by only 2%.

“I can understand that in a federal chain […] but here the proprietor is also from Penza. […] Tell its well-known owner that I am displeased. The lowest rate. Where is the patriotism towards the Penza region? Where is the intention to do all it takes to increase the budget? We are importing goods from all over Russia, helping the development in other regions,” he pointed out.

During the further discussion, a representative of “Magnit” store chain commented on the data, and explained that 3% is just an increase, while the chain remains in the lead in overall Penza-made alcohol sales.

In conclusion, Ivan Belozertsev urged representatives of store chains to do all it takes to promote Penza products both inside and outside the region.