City-forming enterprises will not be left without financial support

City-forming enterprises will develop with the support of the regional executive committee's financial leverage. This was announced to journalists by the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Nikolai Sherstnev, following a visit to OAO "Obolsky Ceramic Plant" (Shumilino District), where the installation of a new line for the production of plastic molding bricks is being completed.

The governor emphasized that the Obolsky Ceramic Plant is a city-forming enterprise, and it cannot be treated as an ordinary production facility. "The settlement is quite large, and we have no right to leave its residents without work. Significant funds have been invested in the modernization of the enterprise, and the launch of the new brick production line is planned for January. Of course, at the first stage, while the equipment is being run in and product sales begin, the regional executive committee should support the plant financially," he said.

Nikolai Sherstnev noted that due to modernization, areas are being freed up at the enterprise (the new line is more compact) and employees are being released (the equipment is robotic). "Essentially, the entire new workshop will occupy only a third of the production area. Accordingly, the remaining space must be utilized so that people also work there, produce goods, and generate revenue. This enterprise must remain as it was initially – city-forming, with its own labor traditions and dynasties," believes the chairman of the regional executive committee.

The governor has no doubts that the enterprise will operate. "This product is also produced in other regions, but we are in a more advantageous position because Russia is nearby. Not selling our bricks would be sheer negligence. It is necessary to work seriously on reducing the cost price, creating a competitive product so that it is easily sold on the external market," concluded Nikolai Sherstnev.

The plant modernization is being carried out at the expense of the innovation fund of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee. The total funding volume is over Br70 billion, the larger part of which began to be disbursed in 2015. The plant is installing and debugging equipment by representatives of the Greek company Sabo, whose main activity is the turnkey construction of brick and tile plants. The modernized workshop will produce bricks using a new plastic molding technology (previously, dry-pressed bricks were produced). The investment project will reduce fuel and energy consumption by approximately 20%, increase labor productivity, and significantly improve brick quality. This will increase production profitability and make the products more competitive. Production volumes will remain at the level of 30 million bricks per year.

Obol Ceramic Plant has been operating since 1978 and is engaged in the production of ceramic bricks and stones, ceramic souvenirs, special mixtures, and pallets. Bricks account for over 98% of the production structure.

In addition to familiarizing himself with the modernization process, the governor held a personal reception of citizens at the enterprise. People spoke about the insufficient number of retail outlets in Obol, the lack of cafes for children, and the absence of places for the adult population to spend their leisure time. Previously operating facilities were closed due to unprofitability. Residents of the village raised the issue of drinking water quality (construction of an iron removal station) and voiced the problem of labor resource release due to the modernization of the town-forming enterprise, OAO "Obol Ceramic Plant".

The regional head promised to address all the voiced problems and resolve the population's issues.

Alena Tikhonova, BELTA.