The head of the region presented awards to the laureates of the title "Man of the Year of Vitebsk Region-2015"

It has become a good tradition at the beginning of the year to honor those who glorify their native region with their labor, who make a significant contribution to the development of the economy, agriculture, and social sphere. There are many such people, but the title "Person of the Year of Vitebsk Region" is awarded to the best in their fields, who have achieved the most significant results based on the work of the past year.

And it was not an easy one. As noted by the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Nikolai Sherstnev, preceding the award ceremony, the instability of the global economic system negatively affects the efficiency of the national economy, and in these conditions, new ways must be sought for sustainable development. First of all, the role of the scientific community in solving important state tasks should be increased, export potential should be enhanced, export should be diversified, and the quality of management of the industrial complex should be radically changed.

– In 2015, the region fulfilled the targets for housing construction, export of goods to new promising markets, and ensured the standard of finished goods inventories. The growth rate of industrial production in actual prices was 110.7% compared to 2014. More than 150 new organizations and productions were created,

received over 2 trillion rubles of net profit. Our products are exported to 79 countries of the world, – said Nikolai Sherstnev.

The head of the region also outlined the main tasks for the current year. For industry, these are increasing the output of high-quality and competitive products, mastering new types of products, utilizing existing capacities, reducing costs, and implementing advanced technologies. In 2016, at least 200 new enterprises must be commissioned.

Speaking about the agro-industrial complex, Nikolai Sherstnev emphasized that it is at an important turning point, when the future fate of agricultural enterprises will be decided by their transition to self-supporting operations. With a focus on the future, large integrated formations are being created based on the Vitebsk meat processing plant, the Glubokoye feed mill, the Orsha and Polotsk grain processing plants, and the Vitebsk broiler poultry farm.

– Last year, farmers harvested 1 million 372 thousand tons of grain. This is the best result in the history of the region over the past 40 years. For the first time, the average yield in the Vitebsk region reached 36.6 centners per hectare. This year, we must reach 40 centners. After all, 5 districts of the region (Verkhnedvinsk, Dubrovensky, Postavsky, Orshansky, and Beshenkovichsky) managed to do this last year, – noted the governor.

The task is to preserve and enhance the potential of small and medium-sized businesses, create new jobs, especially in small towns and rural areas. In each district and city, a package of proposals for promising types of entrepreneurial activity should be formed, and a program for the creation of small private enterprises should be approved.

Special attention will be paid to the culture of labor and production.

– Conditions should be created for the self-realization of young citizens who are ready to apply their efforts and abilities for the benefit of the Fatherland. We count on the success of the youth, we hope that the names of our representatives will shine in many projects of the year, and at the upcoming Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, athletes from the Vitebsk region will ascend the podium. More than ten Olympic licenses have already been won by athletes of the region, – emphasized Nikolai Sherstnev.

The main concern of the authorities remains the improvement of the population's quality of life. A balanced approach to solving social issues is a priority. The Year of Culture in the Vitebsk region promises to be particularly eventful.

Behind all the events and achievements in the life of the region are the people who shape the history of the region through their labor. About everyone who took the stage of the Vitebsk Concert Hall,to receive a prestigious award, a lot of good words can be said. The award ceremony did not allow this, but the main achievements for which 100 representatives of various professions were recognized were announced by the hosts. Thus, fitter Vladimir Chernyavsky of the Orsha Machine-Tool Building Plant "Krasny Borets" works literally for two – he fulfills production by 200%, and 8 new special machine tools were manufactured with his participation. The Orsha foreign limited liability company "LINPAK Packaging East" earned over 8 million dollars from export supplies, which grew 5 times in 2015. Its director, Andrey Vospanov, also became one of the laureates in the "Small and Medium Business" nomination. The work experience of Yadviga Vashkevich, an operator at the "Mayak Braslavsky" agricultural enterprise pig complex, is 40 years; last year she achieved a good result – 782 g of average daily weight gain in pigs. But her main achievement is raising seven children. Dmitry Muzyka, head of the "Plyusy" border post department in the Braslav district, was recognized for his exemplary service. With his direct participation, 15 violators of the state border of the Republic of Belarus were detained. Among the educators, "Person of the Year of Vitebsk Region" was awarded to Konstantin Kiselev, director of Vitebsk Gymnasium No. 2. This educational institution is among the top ten in the country and was inscribed on the republican Honor Board last year.

Congratulating the laureates, the chairman of the regional executive committee noted:

– You are distinguished by your ability to think innovatively, to combine experience and skill with the desire to constantly improve in your profession. Your example shows how great the potential of people is in every field and how significant the reserves for its development are.

The celebrations concluded with a concert featuring the best creative groups of the Vitebsk region.

Tatsiana Pasternak. Photos by Anton Stepanishchev. "Vitebskiye Vesti".