GOMEL, 22 December (BelTA) – Gomel Oblast has done well in recent years, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with senior officials of Gomel Oblast, BelTA has learned.
The head of state noted that Gomel Oblast is the country's largest region in terms of territory, and is home to 15% of the country's population, a fifth of its industrial production is concentrated.
"At the same time, you were hit the worst by the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Back then, at the dawn of my presidency, I lived through that rough time together with you grief, experienced with you the times of hopelessness," the Belarusian leader recalled. “I cannot say that we have already resolved all Chernobyl-related issues. So we still focus our attention on them. In the coming spring and summer, I want to take a principled look at the issue of Chernobyl-affected lands, to visit the reserve, in order to draw final conclusions on how we will work there. "
“Those territories and Gomel Oblast have changed a lot in the recent years,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
According to him, the region's industrial development, investment in fixed capital have been recently ahead the average parameters across the country. This year, exports went up 32% (not counting national enterprises). Agriculture shows positive dynamics. As for the average salary in the country, Gomel Oblast goes third (Br1,250 in the region against Br1,410 across the country).
A significant contribution to the achievement of such results was made by former Governor Gennady Solovei and the region's senior officials, the president said. “You, Gennady Mikhailovich have shaken up the local vertical to a certain extent. A man from outside, from Minsk Oblast, have taken the problems of Gomel Oblast seriously. I would like to thank you, Gennady Mikhailovich, for your work,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.
