LELCHITSY, 22 March (BelTA) – The key task of municipal government agencies is to create new jobs with decent salaries. First Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Alexander Turchin made the relevant statement as he met with citizens in the Lelchitsy District Executive Committee on 22 March to hear out their complaints and help resolve their problems, BelTA has learned.
One of the locals mentioned that when a state enterprise grows larger, it leaves only one branch in the district, reducing the number of available jobs and the available earnings. Alexander Turchin noted it was a complicated matter. It is important to strike the right balance between loss-making branches having a negative impact on the performance of the entire company and people losing their jobs. This is why municipal government agencies should look into available options. “There are resources. Think about ways to engage them. We should constantly move on and create jobs with decent salaries,” Alexander Turchin said. In his opinion, there are great untapped reserves in the Lelchitsy District woodworking industry.
Private sector in the district grows, too. As many as 387 self-employed businessmen have been registered, including in rural areas. Chairman of the Lelchitsy District Executive Committee Anatoly Gaponik explained that 300 jobs have been created in the private sector in the last three years. Alexander Turchin suggested creating manufacturing premises at the state expense and renting them out to the private sector as a way to stimulate entrepreneurship. The relevant proposals will be worked out soon. Alexander Turchin also remarked that a pilot project is being implemented in Orsha District. Taxation and property regulations are being tweaked. If they produce a positive effect, the practice will be spread into other districts.
Prospects of building a railway in the district was mentioned. Alexander Turchin noted it is a costly proposition with unclear payback prospects. The plans will remain on the table for now.
A private businessman mentioned plans to start exploiting an open pit near Glushkovichi. In his words, the local building stone variety is unique and will be in demand abroad. The businessman intends to make products out of this stone variety with a maximum added value. Alexander Turchin instructed the local authorities to help the businessman start the enterprise.
Alexander Turchin was made familiar with the economic state of the district, the demographic situation, the development of the social sphere, agriculture, and employment situation. “Every district has its own competitive advantages. Lelchitsy District is unique. It has rich natural resources. It is necessary to effectively use this potential,” Alexander Turchin concluded.
