Minsk authorities fail to find suppliers of gold dishes for Lukashenka

A tender for unique tableware for the dictator's residence failed to attract bidders.

The news about the tendering process to buy tableware decorated with platinum and gold stirred up Belarusian Internet users. Salidarnasts tried to contact the tender submitter. It wasn't an easy task to reach Leanid Malash, the head of the tender department of the capital construction directorate of the Minsk city executive committee, whose phone number was given in the contact details.

“Are you journalists? My boss won't talk to you,” a vigilant secretary said. “Leanid Malash speaks only to participates of the auction. All information for the media can be found in the tender offer.”

Asked how the process was going and how many dishes were bought, the secretary answered:

“No bidders have applied yet. The results of the tender will be available on the website. The boss is away for work now.”

It became known some days ago that luxury dishware was needed for Lukashenka's new residence. The relative tender was placed on the procurement website by the capital construction directorate of the Minsk city executive committee.

According to the tender offer, a part of the dishes should be produced by Falkenporzellan, a German producer of high-quality tableware. The company's products are noted for “sophisticated design, absolute whiteness, firmness and brightness in combination with 24-carat gold and platinum”, according to media. The tableware is rather expensive for Belarus. For example, a small dinner set costs more than $1,000.

It's worth noting that dinner sets won't be the only luxurious elements in the residence interior. It is decorated with gold chandelier produced by Faustig, a German factory, one of the world's most expensive chandelier manufacturer.