Baltika head to lead Russia's Beer and Non-Alcoholic Industry Expert Advisory Council
MOSCOW. April 28 (Interfax) - Taimuraz Bolloyev, the president of Baltika Brewing Company, has been appointed to lead a newly established Expert Advisory Council for Russia's beer and non-alcoholic beverage industry, the council's press service said.
The council was created at Baltika's initiative, the press service said. Its primary objective is to unite representatives from the beer/non-alcoholic sector and cross-industry experts to develop favorable conditions for the industry's growth in Russia.
The council also includes AB InBev Efes CEO Nikolai Tyurnikov and Dmitry Kiselyov, the chairman of the Russian Winemakers and Viticulturists Association.
"Currently, there's no balanced government policy for beer production - not a single strategic planning document exists to guide the industry's development, including its raw material base, in the medium-to-long term. For years, Russian brewing hasn't received proper attention, and industry consolidation is essential to jointly develop targeted programs, establish expertise centers, strengthen raw material supplies, conduct research, and implement innovations. Together with experts, we plan to address our shared pressing challenges," Bolloyev was quoted as saying by the press service.
The council's immediate plans involve developing unified approaches to emerging challenges and proposing regulatory changes for the beer/non-alcoholic sector.
Russia's brewing industry currently has two trade associations - the Beer, Malt and Beverage Producers Association (uniting companies representing around 70% of domestic beer production) and the Union of Russian Brewers. Non-alcoholic beverage producers are organized under the Union of Beverage Producers.
Baltika's press service told Interfax that the council's key distinction lies in incorporating experts from outside brewing. "The Development Council should unite not just beer/non-alcoholic market participants, but also adjacent industries and multidisciplinary experts to formulate evidence-based positions for the council to advocate."
