5 Jun 2025
,Paraguay
The Lithuanian group SBA has completed the sale of its furniture plant Mebelain in Belarus. This move is the result of prolonged negotiations and challenging conditions caused by strict restrictions on the sale of Western companies in the country. As part of the deal, the facility located in Mogilev was sold to a Belarusian manager for a symbolic price. This step allowed the Lithuanian company to exit the project and fully write off its investments in the enterprise.
The Mebelain plant was built in 2009, and its primary activity was the production of furniture for the globally renowned Swedish company IKEA. In addition to this core function, the plant also contributed to the development of the local economy by providing jobs and fostering related infrastructure.
However, in recent years, due to the political and economic situation, many Western companies have faced difficulties in conducting business in Belarus. This was linked to the imposition of various restrictions and an increase in operational risks. As a result, SBA made the decision to withdraw from this project, which was achieved through the completed sale of the plant.
The completion of the deal marked an important milestone in the business restructuring strategy of the Lithuanian group. Having freed itself from obligations in Belarus, SBA is now focused on planning and implementing new projects in less risky regions, as well as strengthening its current positions in other countries.
Despite the loss of a production facility in Belarus, the group continues to actively work on expanding its presence in the international market. Priority areas for further development include the Baltic countries and other European states, where SBA already has experience in successful collaboration and a stable demand for its products.
Representatives of SBA emphasized that the lessons learned from the situation in Belarus will be taken into account when developing new company strategies. They intend to more carefully analyze the political and economic environment in countries where they plan to expand their business in the future. This will help minimize risks and enhance the company’s resilience to external fluctuations.
The sale of the plant in Belarus, although not an easy decision, became a necessary step to ensure the group’s further growth and stability on the international stage. Now, SBA can dedicate more resources to the development of its existing projects and the pursuit of new opportunities.
