LocationsBy joining together in a printing cluster, local entrepreneurs have increased their competitiveness and created new jobs in local community.
Printing cluster in Khoiniki, Belarus
February 8, 2023
Alexander Marchenko, the Coordinator of the initiative "Cluster cooperation of entrepreneurs providing printing and related services "ArtGo".
Photo: Yana Bondar/UNDP in Belarus
Owing to the cooperation on the local level and the support of UNDP, the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Belarus and the EU a modern same day printing center was opened in the town of Khoyniki, the Gomel Region of Belarus. The center designs and prints high-quality promotional and gift products, as well as offers local entrepreneurs innovative co-working space. By uniting into cluster the entrepreneurs have increased their competitiveness and created new job opportunities for the local communities.
Alexandr Marchenko heads the new printing center in Khoyniki. He has been in the printmaking business for more than 10 years and understands what complications stand “behind both sides” of a printing press. The demand for quality printing services in the region has always been there, but the technical capabilities to meet it were insufficient. It is difficult to purchase expensive equipment or to fulfill a technologically complex or voluminous order alone. To overcome those challenges, local businesses working in the printing and related industries decided to team up/unite into the printing cluster. The participants placed the printing center in the reconstructed workshop of the old printing house. By joining the efforts and the resources the entrepreneurs created new opportunities for services expansion, cost reduction and revenue growth for each member.
Sergei Bondarenko, the member of the cluster. Created by the cluster members, #PECHATAEMVSYO (printing everything) brand fully captures the purpose of the center.
Photo: Yana Bondar/UNDP in Belarus
Advantages of cooperation for small and medium businesses
The formation and development of clusters, providing an effective realization of innovations from their design to delivery to a specific consumer is an important condition for the development of small and medium entrepreneurship in the districts. The support of cluster economy is clearly stated in the development Strategy of the small and medium entrepreneurship “Belarus - is a country of a successful entrepreneurship” till 2030.
In partnership with the Ministry of Economy of Belarus, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Belarus with the financial support of the European Union provides systemic support to cluster initiatives in the regions.
Cluster initiatives increase the sustainability and competitiveness of the local economy via pooling resources, knowledge, logistic chains of the local businesses for the production/manufacture of goods and services, create new job opportunities and stimulate business innovations.
New opportunities in printing
Specifically in this case, the UNDP’s project “The support of economic development on the local level in the Republic of Belarus” has helped the printing cluster to purchase modern printing and computer equipment.
- We have purchased a modern digital printer for the SRA3 format (up to 1200mm) banner printing with photographic quality,- specifies Alexander.
Now there is a place in the area with the modern printing equipment that works as a collective use center.
The partners of the cluster provide many services. One partner makes book bindings, others develop layouts and designs, deliver final products and organize photo shoots for family and gift albums.
Photo: Yana Bondar/UNDP in Belarus
Today the center in Khoyniki takes even technically demanding orders. For instance, printing on metallized (gold and silver) films. This significantly expands the range of services and gift products and gives a strong competitive advantage both in and outside the district.
Co-working space for everyone
The printing center was placed in the reconstructed workshop of the old printing house. Besides, the cluster members have created a contemporary co-working space. Old elevator shaft turned into a kitchenette, and the brainstorming station appeared as a well-equipped hall for meetings, negotiations and remote work. The use of co-working space is free of charge and accessible for everyone.
– We always dreamed about having such a space in the town where everyone could arrange a place for work or holding business meetings. The space offers the internet access, meeting room, recreation areas. The co-working is an opportunity to change the location and work remotely, to design a presentation of a product to clients,- tells Alexander tells about the new location - We have no exceptions: anyone can access the co-working space. Sewing or knitting - you are free to come here. We are happy to support any entrepreneurial initiative. In the future, the co-working space will be given for rent to the local entrepreneurs, craftsmen and others willing.
The town's residents are only beginning to become familiar with this space, however they already had a chance to suggest new development ideas to the cluster members. For instance, holding photoshoots. Now there is an opportunity to not only take pictures for the passport, but also to do pictures from a family album. There is an opportunity to get ready, put the makeup on, change and take pictures in different spots, - tells Sergei Bondarenko, the photographer and the another member of the cluster.
The printing center has the contemporary co-working space - a hall for meetings, negotiations and remote work.
Photo: Yana Bondar/UNDP in Belarus
Growth points
We want to invest into the development of our neighborhood. I personally dream that young people see opportunities for the growth in their hometown and do not hurry to leave. I am glad we are here providing the high level services,- Alexander says.
Today the cluster team is not only able to meet all the variety of printing needs in the local communities, but also in the neighbouring districts, such as Brahinsky, Loewsky, Narovlyansky, Rechhitsky. The new, advanced printing equipment allows the team to respond to the orders coming from other districts.
There is also a focus on active business promotion. For example, entrepreneurs have the idea of making an internet showcase that would allow clients to suggest a design idea or order a T-shirt with a unique print, as well as create a family album that can be printed the same day.
The printing cluster team members.
Photo: Yana Bondar/UNDP in Belarus
- Earning a start-up capital is always harder than later development. That is why I am grateful for the support of the international technical assistance project. Now our entrepreneurs have the opportunity to make a significant breakthrough and keep up with the local development,- summarizes Alexander.
Overall, UNDP, the Ministry of Economy and the EU have supported 18 cluster initiatives in 12 districts of Belarus.
