Revenues of local budgets in the Vitebsk region will be increased by developing production and service sectors

December 10, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. The development of production and services in small towns will contribute to an increase in local budget revenues, stated Alexander Sergiyenok, head of the regional executive committee's financial department, today at a joint meeting of the presidium of the Vitebsk Regional Council of Deputies and the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, presenting the region's budget draft for 2010, a BELTA correspondent reports. Thus, due to the activities of enterprises in small towns, the budget in 2009 will receive Br6 billion in taxes and fees, which is 14% more than in 2008. However, reserves in this area are still significant, Alexander Sergiyenok emphasized. The draft budget for 2010 provides that taxes from newly created enterprises in small settlements will amount to Br6.8 billion. The potential for attracting revenue from outdoor advertising to the regional budget is still at a low level, believes the head of the financial department. This year, over Br600 million is expected to be received from this activity. Another reserve for replenishing local budgets is the development of the roadside service system. According to the results of 2009, roadside infrastructure entities will pay about Br30 billion in taxes, fees, and mandatory payments to the consolidated regional budget. Speaking about the region's budget for 2010, Alexander Sergiyenok noted that the main share in the structure of local budget revenues is made up of value-added tax, personal income tax, profit and income taxes, property taxes, and environmental tax. The revenue side of primary level budgets will be replenished by taxes on services, resort fees, and personal income tax. As the head of the financial department emphasized, the main tasks in the area of budget expenditures in 2010 will be "maintaining the quality level of social services, supporting the real sector of the economy, and implementing the housing construction program." An increase in allocations for the social sphere compared to 2009 is envisaged: for healthcare by 8%, for education - by 7%. The draft regional budget for 2010, with revenues of Br1,912 billion and expenditures of Br1,880 billion, will be submitted for consideration and approval by the regional council deputies on December 18. -0-