Alexander Kosinets: “The time has come for an intensive path”
At the 27th session of the Regional Council of Deputies, the head of the executive branch of the Vitebsk region presented a report on the implementation of the main parameters of the region's socio-economic development in 2012 and outlined plans for the upcoming year.
The approach of the New Year, perhaps for every person, is a time for summing up. What has been achieved, what heights have been conquered, and what lessons have been learned from mistakes made? Having drawn conclusions, one can move forward, boldly looking into new horizons and taking with them the baggage of acquired experience. The current year for the Dvina region has been filled with bold socio-economic development plans.
Summing up, it can be confidently stated that we have not only coped with the set tasks but have also managed to move onto an intensive path when it comes to quality, innovation, and intellectual potential. As Governor Alexander Kosinets noted, the Vitebsk region currently has the highest rating for the implementation of indicators established by the Government of the Republic of Belarus. There is a stable positive trend in gross regional product (hereinafter – GRP). This indicates that the added value is formed very effectively. Indicators in the production sphere are quite high, especially in manufacturing and agriculture. However, GRP is not being met in construction (although there are sufficient reserves), in the distribution of electricity, gas, and water, and the service sector in education and housing and communal services raises concern. This needs to be worked on.
In 2013, the value added per employee is expected to reach $20.4 thousand, and the GRP growth rate to reach 112 percent. The fact that the Program for Innovative and Investment Development for 2011-2015, which is of strategic importance, has been adopted in our region is also crucial for success. Its implementation is a guarantee of food security, ensured by the transition to local raw materials, intensive use of own resources, and large-scale re-equipment. In recent years, the range of goods produced in Pridvinye has significantly expanded. This is the focus of the subprograms "Vitagro", "Vitebsk Mech", "Children of Vitebshchina", "Vitebsk Fish", "Vitebsk Flax" and others. 18.8 trillion rubles have already been invested, almost 5.5 thousand new jobs have been created, and 936 facilities have been built and reconstructed. In 2013, it is planned to allocate 27 trillion rubles for the program implementation and create 1600 jobs.
In the production sector, energy and material intensity have been significantly reduced, and revenue for January-September has increased 1.9 times. It is worth noting that Pridvinye has the lowest level of inventory – 30.6 percent. But even this should not be. It is necessary to revalue problem inventories and make products liquid by organizing more efficient production. This cannot be done without modernizing industrial enterprises, as required by the head of state. In 2013, OJSC "Orsha Linen Mill", "Vitebskdrev", "Vitebsk Oil Extraction Plant", "Monolit" radio parts plant, "Evistor" plant, "Vitba" confectionery factory, KUUPP "Vitebchanka", furniture enterprise "Zarya" and others are awaiting upgrades. The share of the chemical and food industries in the total industrial output has increased, which will make the economy less vulnerable to imports of resources and raw materials.
A major modernization in the agro-industrial complex has been launched. The structure of crop production has been changed, the share of arable land and its efficiency have been increased, 135 dairy farms have been reconstructed, and the creation of milking parlors has been intensified. As a result, the Pridvinye region has been able to provide its livestock with a feed base, practically abandon bucket milking, and organize loose housing for cattle. This work will be completed in 2013. In addition, the design of 21 sheep farms, 15 fur farms, and 15 fish farms has already begun.
– In extremely difficult conditions, the Vitebsk region produced the largest amount of milk and meat, and achieved an unprecedented grain harvest of about 1400 thousand tons. As a result, the profitability of the agricultural products sold was 10.7 percent. It should be noted that Vitebsk region has the minimal debts in agricultural enterprises. Meat and dairy processing enterprises have made a significant leap, supplying their region with products and expanding exports to 27 countries. Only we have the European Union certificate obtained by the Verkhnedvinsk butter and cheese factory, – emphasized Alexander Kosinets.
By the way, in 2012, the region gained new export markets – Guatemala, Bolivia, Greece, Senegal, Slovenia, Chile, Ecuador. The volume of goods exports to South America, Africa, the Middle East, as well as to European countries has increased. In the current year, 14.2 trillion rubles of investments have been directed to the development of the region, 97 billion of foreign direct investments have been attracted to the economy, and 120 investment agreements have been concluded. More serious tasks are ahead in 2013.
The construction industry is undergoing technical re-equipment aimed at producing high-quality domestic materials. However, staffing issues and labor productivity remain pressing concerns. There is an opportunity to earn well, if there were interest in it, noted Alexander Nikolaevich. This year, bus stations in Braslav and Liozno have been commissioned, and 150 retail facilities have been opened, including large ones such as "Marko-City," "Nika," "Euroopt," and "Ganna." Close attention has been paid and will continue to be paid to healthcare facilities. A children's polyclinic in Vitebsk and a hospital in Sharkovshchina have been commissioned; in 2013, a long-delayed construction project in Miory will be revived, and the reconstruction of medical institutions in the regional center will be completed. More than 300 billion rubles will be allocated for this purpose. The construction of educational institutions will continue, Houses of Culture will be reconstructed, and the cinema and library network will be modernized. And in every district center, the governor emphasized, a sports and recreation complex with a swimming pool must be created.
Vitebsk region passed a kind of exam during significant holidays – the 1150th anniversary of Polotsk and the Day of Writing in Glubokoe. And it passed successfully, proving that we honor the traditions of the past and care for our cultural and spiritual heritage. The event of 2013 will be the republican "Dazhynki" in Gorodok.
The coming year has been declared by the president as the Year of Thrift. Special attention should be paid to fulfilling the target indicator for energy saving, increasing the share of local fuel use, and ensuring the full utilization of existing production capacities.
The budget for the upcoming year will maintain its social focus – approximately 57 percent will be allocated to the development of the social sphere. The country's government has established 6 socio-economic development indicators, while the Vitebsk region has taken on increased commitments: we have 25. However, this is solely with the aim of improving the quality of life for the population, ensuring people can earn well, and providing a decent future for themselves and their children. Significant work will be required, increasing labor productivity by 1.7 times. The wages of the region's residents directly depend on the fulfillment of the set tasks. By December 2013, the average wage level should reach 750-800 dollars.