Following the results of last year, Novopolotsk took leading positions in the fulfillment of key socio-economic development indicators and was inscribed on the regional Board of Honor. What is the current situation of Belarus's major industrial center, and how do the authorities define its prospects?

Dmitry Demidov, Chairman of the Novopolotsk City Executive Committee, spoke about this.

– Dmitry Vladimirovich, preparations are currently underway for the Fifth All-Belarusian People's Assembly. What issues could the residents of Novopolotsk bring to the main forum of the country?

– We certainly have something to present at the All-Belarusian People's Assembly, and we can be proud of many achievements. Last year, the main sectors of our economy operated profitably, with the average monthly salary in the city exceeding 8 million rubles. We are maintaining positive dynamics based on the results of the first quarter. Novopolotsk makes a significant contribution to the socio-economic development of the region and the country, but it is a mono-city whose development is tied to a single enterprise. The share of petrochemicals in the economy is almost 97%. Therefore, the modernization program currently being implemented at Naftan OJSC is very important for us. This year, it is planned to commission units for hydrogen production and primary oil refining, and in 2018 – the main facility: a delayed coking unit. All this will allow for deeper oil refining and increase the economic efficiency of the enterprise, creating new high-tech jobs.

At the same time, the modernization of the industrial complex should be a continuous and phased process. The Polimir plant, built using technologies from 30-40 years ago, also urgently needs capacity renewal. These issues deserve prompt consideration, and we expect to receive support from the country's leadership in implementing our plans.

– How does the city's economy withstand crisis phenomena?

– The operations of industrial enterprises, of course, could not avoid the negative effects associated with the rise in oil product prices and

conducting the so-called tax maneuver in the Russian Federation, when the cost of raw materials significantly increased. I believe that in this situation, much depends on the leaders: their initiative, enterprise, openness to new trends and methods of managing the team and production. After all, crisis for a market economy is a common occurrence: growth is followed by decline, and then again a rise. This cyclical nature is a law of economic theory. But when the wind blows, as the Chinese proverb says, some build a stone wall, while others set up a windmill. It is important to use the emerging opportunities: the liberation of new sectors in the market, the introduction of innovations. The crisis forces mobilization and working at full capacity. Most of our leaders do just that, and in this I see the key to overall success.

– Please name the main urban problems at this stage.

– For the second year, we have had a budget deficit. This affects the implementation of plans: they have to be adjusted. Of course, we would like to put a new school into operation faster, complete the construction of a landfill for household waste, reconstruct the park, repair more roads and courtyards. But we have to balance our desires with real possibilities, we do what the city budget revenues allow. In general, we live within our means. But at the same time, we fully fulfill all our obligations on social issues.

– How relevant is the issue of unemployment for the oil city?

– Its level has increased from 1.1% to 1.4%, but we are not exceeding the socially acceptable threshold. Both for me personally and for the heads of enterprises, the creation of new jobs is one of the top priorities. A significant number of citizens come to me for appointments today looking for work. We try to help everyone individually. But the situation is complex, and it has changed dramatically recently. Back in 2014, we talked about a labor shortage. And now vacancies are mostly filled, but people have increased responsibility, they hold onto their jobs more, they value what they have.

This year, we plan to fulfill the task of creating 555 new jobs, while 690 were created last year, including at existing production facilities. The modernization and outsourcing process continues at Naftan, light industry is developing, and new enterprises have emerged in trade and public catering. About 20 jobs are planned to be opened at the biomechanical plant for processing secondary resources by introducing a second shift, and we place great hopes on small and medium-sized enterprises.

– How are relations with the private sector of the economy being built?

– Its share in filling the city budget today is 25%. This is a significant contribution, and we hope for further growth here. We try to build relationships with private organizations on the principles of mutual trust and support for fruitful initiatives in an atmosphere of friendliness and openness. We are accommodating to businesses and expect the same reaction from them.

– To what extent have the difficulties that construction organizations are now experiencing everywhere affected the Novopolotsk trust №16?

– The situation is not easy, but not a dead end. We see a way out in searching for new volumes of work. Based on the results of last year, tenders were won and contracts were concluded for over 100 billion rubles. We are actively using the sister city ties established by the city and other international contacts to find orders abroad, primarily in Russia. Possible places to apply efforts are Podolsk, Sebezh, Kirishi. We intend to preserve and fully support this team, which employs over 1.5 thousand people. The entire city of Novopolotsk and its largest enterprises were built by our trust at one time. For its labor achievements, it was awarded the highest award of the USSR – the Order of Lenin. I think that, having such glorious traditions, the enterprise should develop successfully in the future.

– What is a priority in the development of the social sphere?

– The most significant of recent events was the completion of the construction of a nursery-kindergarten in a new microdistrict, which eased the transport burden associated with forced relocations of children and parents. Now

we continue to build the second phase of this facility – the elementary school. We would like to commission it by September, and we cannot do without the financial support of the region here.

This year, the social sphere has also grown with the Palace of Water Sports, transferred to the communal ownership of OJSC "Naftan". A major overhaul of the pool basin is needed there, which we also hope to complete as soon as possible. Another relevant project is the continuation of the reconstruction of the city hospital with the re-equipment of the premises for an angiosraphic operating room and the installation of a computed tomography scanner, which will improve the quality and accessibility of medical services.

– A pilot project on normative financing of general secondary education institutions is being implemented in Novopolotsk. What results are expected?

– 30% of the city budget is currently spent on financing the education system. The task is to make this money work as effectively as possible, allowing for an increase in the level and quality of knowledge. The closure of schools with a low number of students is not envisaged. Measures have been developed to optimize overlapping areas related to extracurricular activities. In addition, we see a huge reserve in saving resources in optimizing energy costs. This was shown by a scientific analysis of energy consumption results conducted by specialists from Polotsk State University. In general, the meaning of the program is the fair distribution of funds: schools with a larger number of students will receive more funding. At the same time, everything that is saved will remain in the system and will go towards its development.

– How do you envision Novopolotsk in five years?

– Firstly, almost twice as large territorially. According to the approved general development plan, the city limits will include the settlements of Borovukha-1, Gamzelevo, Koptevo, and several others. I hope that by that time we will tackle the right bank of the Western Dvina to develop infrastructure and residential development there.

I expect that all measures under the modernization program will be completed, and our city will receive additional high-tech

innovative capacities, so that enterprises will operate with much more serious economic indicators, although their results are already impressive. I believe that ideas voiced by private investors for the creation of new production facilities in the city will be implemented. I am confident that the social component will develop, in particular, we will implement plans to provide citizens with high-tech medical care, so that they do not have to travel to Vitebsk or Minsk for it.

The issue that concerns everyone without exception is ecology. We are working seriously to reduce emissions from enterprises. However, research shows that road transport plays a significant role in air pollution. Motorization in the city has practically reached European levels: about 300 cars per thousand population. We expect to redistribute traffic flows and relieve the central street Molodezhnaya. We plan to further develop electric transport and lay tram tracks in new residential areas.

To summarize, I see our Novopolotsk as an even cozier, cleaner, and more prosperous city, one that we will all be proud of, a city where we want to live and raise our children.

Larisa Malashenya, "Vitebskiye Vesti". Photos by the author and Tatiana RUSAKOVICH.