SVISLOCH DISTRICT, 24 June (BelTA) - Grodno Oblast is rightly considered one of the best regions of the country, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a meeting to discuss the region's development prospects, BelTA has learned.
Attended the meeting are representatives of the government, the President Administration, government bodies and local authorities: Grodno Oblast Executive Committee and district administrations. The focus is on the development strategy of Grodno Oblast.
"Even in Soviet times, Grodno Oblast was rightly considered one of the best regions of the huge Soviet Union. Our region has always been seen as an example. It was an exemplary region of the Soviet Union. Specialists came here to study the experience, especially in agriculture," the president said opening the meeting. "In the newest history, in the history of sovereign Belarus, the trend has continued."
He noted that over the past five years, the gross regional product of Grodno Oblast rose faster than in the country as a whole: 5% against 3.5%. The situation is similar in terms of other important indicators: productivity (13% vs 8%), merchandise exports (almost 42% vs 9%). In the current difficult year Grodno Oblast ranks high both in terms of the economic growth as a whole (5.5%), industrial output (almost 21%), agriculture (1.6%). In terms of construction and installation works, profitability of sales and net profit, commissioning of housing the region also holds leading positions," the head of state gave examples.
A few weeks ago, the Belarusian nuclear power plant began full-fledged operation, the president said. "This is the largest facility in the history of our country. Its importance for energy security and in general for the development of the economy is simply colossal," he said.
Summing up the successes in the development of the region, the head of state urged to maintain the good results.
