VITEBSK, 7 February (BelTA) – The Vitebsk Oblast economy attracted over $1 billion in investments in 2019, BelTA learned from Vitebsk Oblast Governor Nikolai Sherstnev during the ceremony held on 7 February to award winners of the contest Vitebsk Oblast Person of the Year.
The governor said: “The regional economy attracted over $1 billion in investments. The implementation of several key projects continues such as the modernization of Orsha Linen Mill, the oil refinery Naftan, Polotsk-Steklovolokno, Vitebsk Broiler Poultry Factory, the construction of a factory to make metal sheets and tinned steel sheets in Miory District, the second stage and the third stage of the industrial and logistics hub Bremino-Orsha.”
The governor also mentioned positive trends going on in Orsha District economy. For instance, Belarus' first factory to make seamless steel cylinders was commissioned in Orsha District in 2019. The Vitebsk Oblast electric company Vitebskenergo built a new modern robotized dairy farm. The construction of Belarus' largest dairy farm Kupalinka for 2,200 head of cattle is nearing completion in the agricultural enterprise Agrokombinat Yubileiny. In H1 2020 the agricultural enterprise Ustye intends to commission two innovative facilities – a grain-drying complex for processing seeds of agricultural crops with the output capacity of 10,000 tonnes and a dairy farm that will use a robotic rotary milking parlor.
Nikolai Sherstnev remarked that positive dynamics in the social sphere and the manufacturing sector had been secured on the whole. Enterprises are being retooled, the manufacturing of new products is being mastered, and modern technologies are being introduced. In 2019 Vitebsk Oblast was ahead of 2018 in agricultural output, fixed-capital investments, construction and installation work, and merchandise sales to individuals. Vitebsk Oblast also managed to secure labor productivity growth, optimize the cost of production and sales of products and services. All the main branches of the regional economy show net profit. The number of small and medium enterprises increased by more than 1,000. The number of self-employed residents increased by 20%. As many as 46 new farm stays were opened. 2019 saw the launch of 428 new enterprises, including about 40% in the manufacturing sector.
New woodworking enterprises were opened in Rossony District, Sharkovshchina District, Beshenkovichi District, Gorodok District, and Polotsk District.
Lithuanian investors intend to build a complex of woodworking enterprises specializing in various operations starting with timber sawing and ending with pulp production in the free economic zone Vitebsk. A grain-drying facility of Vitebsk Broiler Poultry Factory was commissioned in the town of Surazh. The company Ekomol-Agro commissioned a soybean processing shop.
The Vitebsk Oblast governor emphasized that all the accomplishments rely on honest labor, skills, and talents of people. “Accomplishments of every one of you contributed to the success of the entire oblast. We take pride in every victory of yours and get anxious when things go wrong,” the governor told participants of the ceremony. “More than 1,000 local residents have been awarded the honorary title Vitebsk Oblast Person of the Year over the course of 11 years since the title was instituted. The title represents a high praise of the accomplishments of the people, who are devoted to what they do.”
The governor said he was confident that Vitebsk Oblast has a huge potential for moving forward.
Chairman of the State Control Committee Leonid Anfimov joined in the praise for the laureates. He stressed that it is extremely important to look for reserves in every place in order to secure dynamic social and economic development in Vitebsk Oblast as per instructions of the head of state. Winners of the title Vitebsk Oblast Person of the Year are expected to play a special role in these efforts. “Today's winners have different professions and different ages. They have different views on many things but there is one thing in common: love for what they do, for their small motherland – Vitebsk Oblast. Every one of you makes it richer and more successful by working hard regardless of whether you are a regular employee or the head of a company,” the official noted.
