The budget of the Vitebsk region for 2016 is planned with a surplus of Br156 billion
The total amount of the revenue part of the budget, taking into account own revenues and gratuitous receipts, is planned at the level of Br17 trillion 432 billion. Expenditures will amount to Br17 trillion 276 billion (an increase of 15% compared to the expected expenditures for 2015). At the same time, the budget will maintain its social orientation - the priorities of budget financing are the allocation of funds for the maintenance and development of the social sphere and the provision of financial support to certain socially important sectors of the economy and categories of citizens. Social items will account for 63% of the expenditure part of the budget (Br11 trillion 224 billion).
The amount of excess of revenues over expenditures is planned to be used for the repayment of bonds issued by the regional executive committee to support the agro-industrial complex in 2011-2015, as well as for providing assistance to the Postavsky and Orshansky district executive committees (repayment of loans for the reconstruction of the Postavsky and Orekhovsky flax mills), for the repayment of budget loans, the purchase of equipment for the Gomselmash enterprise, and the restoration of pig breeding complexes.
Sustainable formation of the budget's revenue base is planned to be achieved, inter alia, through the continued implementation of the regional innovation and investment development program. It is planned to create at least 130 new enterprises and production facilities in the region. Funds from the regional executive committee's innovation fund in the amount of Br50 billion will be directed towards the implementation of high-tech projects. Additionally, resources from the republican innovation fund will be utilized on a co-financing basis. "This will provide an additional impetus to the development of the region's economy and increase tax potential," said the speaker, outlining two innovative projects that, in his opinion, will bring significant revenue growth. "In Miory district, a complex for rearing eel larvae and its year-round cultivation using a technology not previously used in Belarus, as well as the construction of a rabbit-breeding complex in Beshenkovichi district with a capacity of 500 tons of meat per year," stated Boris Kichanovsky.
The regional budget for 2016 provides resources for preparing facilities for the regional rural workers' festival "Dazhynki" in Senno. Approximately Br150 billion is planned to be allocated for these purposes. "An increase in the festival's funding is possible by attracting additional resources, including through the organization of community workdays and the solicitation of gratuitous assistance," noted Boris Kichanovsky.
Alena Tikhonova, BELTA.