The net profit of enterprises in the Vitebsk region in the first quarter amounted to Br20 billion.

April 16, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. Net profit of enterprises in the Vitebsk region for the first quarter amounted to Br20 billion, Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Alexander Kosinets told a BELTA correspondent. "The socio-economic situation in the region is stable," the governor emphasized. If in the first quarter of last year there were 178 loss-making enterprises in the region, and the net loss amounted to Br130 billion, then for the first three months of this year there were only 50 loss-making enterprises. The growth rate of gross regional product in the first quarter reached 109.2%, and an increase in average wages is noted. Profitability exceeded 6%. Trade managed to cope with the panic demand for sugar and vegetable oil and prevented their shortage. The positive balance of exports and imports of services amounted to $5 million. At the same time, the foreign trade balance was negative in the amount of $10 million. This is due to the need to purchase mineral fertilizers abroad for spring sowing. However, already in April, the foreign trade balance will begin to show positive indicators: exports are already ahead of imports by 10%. According to Alexander Kosinets, the most important task for the region is to reduce economic dependence on petrochemical enterprises. In this regard, the task has been set to increase the share of other industries in the total gross regional product. -0-