GOMEL, 22 December (BelTA) – The situation in the real sector of Gomel Oblast gives reasons for worrying. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the relevant statement as he introduced the new Gomel Oblast governor on 22 December, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko pointed out Gomel Oblast's real sector has not demonstrated economic growth for the last few years. The gross regional product shrank by 0.1% within two years.
Business activity in Gomel Oblast remains calm. The number of commercial entities remains roughly the same at about 13,900. “Although it is of vital importance for us to create new competitive enterprises and new jobs,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed. “The contribution of small and medium private companies into the regional economy is small, too – 16% while the country's average is 27%.”
The president remarked that just like Vitebsk Oblast Gomel Oblast should move away from dependence on large enterprises and should diversify its growth points as much as possible.
The head of state was particularly worried about the countryside. Agricultural output dropped by more than 1% over the course of two years while the country's agricultural output rose by nearly 11%. Gomel Oblast's agricultural output continued falling in 2021. Gomel Oblast is nearly the worst performer and is the country's only region to reduce output in comparison with 2018.
Aleksandr Lukashenko is convinced: “The effectiveness of production and the observance of technical discipline are what matters.”
Apart from that, the president added that despite budget appropriations for buying mineral fertilizers as part of the program on alleviating consequences of the Chernobyl disaster only half of the necessary amount of fertilizers was distributed across the fields.
“As a result, your agriculture steadily demonstrates losses from product sales and negative sales profitability. Gomel Oblast occupies the last position among the regions of the country,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated.
