How did the Vitebsk region perform last year and what are the plans for 2014?
At the 37th session of the Regional Council of Deputies, a report by the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee on the implementation of the main parameters of the region's socio-economic development in 2013 and plans for 2014 was presented.
– The Year of Economy and Thrift is coming to an end. In the Vitebsk region, everything necessary was done for the dynamic socio-economic development of the region. As a result, the vast majority of forecast indicators are being met, – noted Alexander Kosinets.
This result was facilitated by the high base of 2012, when the gross regional product was 112.4%. However, the petrochemical complex, construction, and agriculture pulled the figures down. Due to the decrease in petrochemical production volumes, trade turnover decreased, and the budget did not receive 700 billion rubles. Builders did not cope with the task of constructing 600 sq. m of housing. However, other sectors worked effectively.
A great deal of work has been done on the modernization of enterprises. A new workshop has been created at OJSC "Vitebskdrev", the Braslav and Postavy cheese factories have been commissioned, and the Orsha Flax Combine, the expanded clay aggregate plant in Novolukoml, OJSC "Naftan" and others are being re-equipped. The Governor emphasized that special attention should be paid to the production of innovative products, as they are more liquid and competitive at the megastructure level.
Inventories of finished goods for 10 months of 2013 in Vitebsk region amounted to 36%, which is the minimum indicator in the country. However, it is necessary to reduce it to 25% and use not only the markets of the region and the country, but also foreign markets for this. Small and medium-sized businesses play a huge role in obtaining gross regional product. In 2013, their contribution to GRP was 20.6%, and in 2014, it is necessary to ensure 25.8%. An increase in the number of business entities and employees in the private sector is also forecast.
As Alexander Nikolaevich noted, the agro-industrial complex underperformed in 2013, but there are objective reasons for this. Firstly, the pig population had to be significantly reduced due to ASF. Milk yield decreased, but, in the governor's opinion, it could have been higher if more attention had been paid to technological discipline and if breeding stations had been restored. It was also necessary to increase cattle slaughtering due to the increased production volumes of meat processing plants. Therefore, the task for the agricultural sector is to increase the livestock population.
– A clear system of measures must be created to ensure technological discipline, the production of feed, grain, fodder, and their limited consumption. The region must ensure the biological protection of all complexes, which will allow for the complete preservation of the livestock population, – Alexander Kosinets is convinced. – Since 2010, we have been providing the region with feed ourselves, and I will insist on such approaches: Vitebsk region should receive about 2 million tons of grain in bunker weight. Then there will be both milk and meat. Currently, 121 dairy farms, each with a capacity of 400 heads and the prospect of expansion to 1,000, are undergoing reconstruction in the region. Under the republican program for the development of the dairy industry, 22 dairy farms are being built, and the construction of 80 dairy farms with milking parlors is being carried out from scratch by the хозяйственный способ.
– By May 2014, there will be no bucket milking or horse-and-manual labor on the farms, – the head of the region assured. – This is practically a revolution in the livestock complex. The created working conditions will contribute to the efficient production of agricultural products.
Debts of agricultural organizations exist throughout the country, but in our region, they are smaller than in others. Moreover, overdue debts on loans and credits have been repaid. However, the amounts of debt remain large. The extent to which this problem can be solved depends on the work of each enterprise in the agricultural sector.
Construction deadlines for housing are being missed, and there are problem buildings, but by July 1 of next year, they should be gone. The construction of engineering infrastructure should also proceed at an intensive pace, providing citizens with opportunities for individual housing construction. Throughout the year, industrial and civil construction were actively carried out. According to the results of 2013, 1531 facilities will be commissioned, and 2563 facilities will be carried over. As for trade, 183 shops and 41 catering facilities have been built and reconstructed this year. Alexander Kosinets reminded of the importance of implementing the measures of the Regional Program for Innovative and Investment Development of the Vitebsk Region for 2011-2015, as it directly concerns key life support issues. Much of what was planned has already become a reality, but the subprogram "Vitebskryba" is not being implemented due to the sluggishness of "Vitebskmyasomolprom" and the Braslav District Executive Committee. The holding company "Marko", upon which the subprogram "Vitebsk Fur" depends, is just beginning to implement its plans. Currently, there is no effective secondary resource processing plant in the region, as provided for by the subprogram "Clean City", and none of the three facilities under the subprogram "Transport and Logistics Centers" have been commissioned. The subprogram for the development of small and medium-sized cities requires attention.
– We cannot agree with the way Sharkovshchina is developing today: there isn't a single major industrial enterprise there. The same is true for Rossony. The republican festival-fair "Dazhynki" will help solve the problems of Gorodok, but others also need assistance. New enterprises must be built in such settlements, – emphasized the chairman of the regional executive committee. Based on the results of January-November, the region had the lowest import of goods in the country. However, according to Alexander Nikolaevich, this figure can be even lower: – There are goods that we cannot but buy abroad. But spare parts, tools, agricultural machinery, building materials – we must provide these ourselves. We need to work on import substitution, increase export supplies in 2014, and strive to obtain added value for goods. We are capable of implementing this, considering the technical re-equipment carried out almost everywhere.
The issue of creating the company "Vitavia" is not being removed from the agenda. Landing and takeoff sites have already been modernized and can accommodate aircraft of any class. The task now is to create a logistics center. The most significant issue is demographic security, as it is the foundation of national security, an indicator of people's quality of life, and the activity of the economic sector, emphasized the head of the region.
– A huge amount of work has been done by many interested structures, as a result of which natural decrease has been reduced and birth rate has increased. Life expectancy based on the results of 2013 will be 72 years, while in the republican program we were supposed to reach this indicator only in 2015. In addition, the export of medical services has increased, and more than 70 healthcare facilities are currently under construction and modernization.
Regarding such an important area as education, this year new kindergartens were opened in the region in Dokshitsy and Polotsk, next year the construction of six more nursery schools will begin, the acquisition of school buses and the renovation of institutions are planned. The task for education is to provide the economy with personnel, primarily in connection with the creation of footwear holdings.
Attention is paid to historical monuments and cultural sites: currently, renovation, restoration, and reconstruction are underway in 300 institutions of this sector. Under the social protection program, the modernization of boarding schools will be completed in 2014. The most significant sports facility was the "Ice Arena" in Orsha, designed for 3 thousand spectators. The export of tourist services has increased: this year, Vitebsk region was visited by 420 thousand tourists – this is the best indicator in the republic.
The unemployment rate in the region has decreased to 0.6% of the economically active population. However, there is still cause for concern, according to Alexander Kosinets.
– This percentage reflects only the number of registered unemployed. But there are those who are outside the Vitebsk region, and some do not work anywhere at all. There should be an objective picture in this matter. It is necessary to provide people with jobs and decent wages so that they contribute to the economy of their region, not abroad. By the way, we are meeting the wage indicator, for January-November it amounted to 587 dollars.
The performance of the authorities is assessed by citizens' appeals. Weekly “direct lines” and “hotlines” at the regional executive committee have helped resolve many issues. A total of 3065 appeals were received in 11 months. Housing and communal services issues remain in the first place. Many problems in this area have been solved, but new ones arise over time: thermal renovation, roof repairs, engineering networks. This issue will receive close attention next year, as evidenced by the regional budget allocation. However, the number of appeals regarding labor, employment, transport, architecture, and healthcare has decreased. This is also true for law and order issues, which is a result of efforts aimed at protecting citizens' interests and preventing offenses.
2014 marks the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from the Nazi invaders. There are 3225 veterans of the Great Patriotic War living in the Vitebsk region. The regional executive committee will provide them with everything necessary for the victors to celebrate the holiday with dignity.
– The forecast indicators have been approved, and I am deeply convinced that the personnel potential of the Vitebsk region, with good professional training and all the necessary conditions for solving tasks, will demonstrate their dedicated work on the anniversary of liberation, and will do everything to make our country stronger, so that our Belarus prospers, – summarized the chairman of the regional executive committee.
The regional budget for 2014 was approved at the session. As previously stated, it has maintained its social focus.
Olga Maslovskaya, "Vitebskiye Vesti"?