International holding, innovations, and a singing fountain. What is the result of the interaction between the authorities and local businesses in Vitebsk?
The development of innovative and foreign economic activities, the implementation of new production and management technologies, and the unleashing of business initiative are integral components of the country's economic course. How these directions are being implemented using the regional center as an example, how the interaction between the city administration and the business community is organized – these were the topics at the center of attention of the participants of a recent meeting of the presidium of the regional council.
The event program turned out to be maximally practice-oriented. Deputies spent most of their time at the production sites of several projects, among the most prominent and illustrative ones being implemented today in Vitebsk with the participation of domestic and foreign investors. This provided an opportunity to get firsthand information about the problems entrepreneurs face, how to increase the effectiveness of cooperation between authorities and business, and, in general, the level of trust between them. And, of course, to once again consider searching for reserves to improve the business climate in each of the districts of the Vitebsk region.
– Effective partnership between authorities and business allows for the development of production activities in the regions and attracts investors with new technologies, – emphasized Chairman of the Regional Council Vladimir Terentyev. – And this makes it possible to create new, often high-tech jobs, find resources for the development of the social sphere, and improve people's quality of life.
International Holding Chose the Northern Capital
The deputies made their first stop at the revitalized site of the former radio engineering plant at the end of P. Brovki Street. A quartet of investors from Belarus, Ukraine, Poland, and Holland has created a high-tech production of a wide range of commercial equipment here. To implement the project, LLC "Modern-Expo," part of the international holding of the same name, was registered. The enterprise is a resident of the FEZ "Vitebsk." After the start of work, more than 15 thousand cubic meters of construction debris had to be removed.
Speaking about the main stages of the large-scale construction, plant director Oleg Tkachuk repeatedly emphasized the uniqueness of the design solutions, technological equipment, and production lines, some of which currently have no analogues in Belarus. For example, the building with a total area of almost 23 thousand sq. m has fiber concrete floors and double-glazed windows manufactured using original energy-saving technology (they were imported from Ukraine). The roof, which was rotten in places, has been replaced with a membrane roofing, distinguished by its special waterproofing properties (the coating can withstand a water layer up to 2 m thick).
– When ordering the reconstruction project of the facility, we encountered a situation where design organizations did not understand what was required of them, – noted the director. – Then, specifically for them, trips were organized to the holding's enterprises in Ukraine, where the designers saw how it should work.
Furthermore, we had to operate without bank financing and resolve a multitude of other organizational issues. In such circumstances, significant support was provided to the investors by the city executive committee and the administration of the FEZ "Vitebsk". Thanks to effective interaction with the local authorities, it was possible to promptly deal with current problems and, at times, to emerge honorably from difficult situations. As a result, on the eve of the New Year holidays, the first start-up complex of the plant was commissioned, and investors are already considering expanding production.
Innovations for Export, and a Singing Fountain for Vitebsk
However, foreign businessmen assess the potential of territories, including by the authorities' attitude towards local entrepreneurs. In this regard, the "Vitebskiye Podemniki" group of companies can serve as an indicator. Thanks to the support of the regional executive committee's innovation fund, the business entity is implementing two projects to organize the production of import-substituting equipment.
Overall, through effective interaction with local authorities, the enterprise, founded in 2004, has mastered the production of a wide range of lifting machines, almost 100% of which are exported. Today, this company occupies
26% of the Russian market. Although the founder of the group of companies, Andrey Sidorov, does not hide the existence of problems, in particular, caused by loopholes in tax legislation. But this does not prevent the businessman from doing charity work, as well as bringing closer the dream, which he told about at the presidium of the regional council, – to present a singing fountain to Vitebsk.Military-industrial complex and handball
The final part of the event took place at Vitebsk Radio Components Plant "Monolit" OJSC, where LLC "Kulon" (Saint Petersburg) has recently become the holder of a controlling stake. With the arrival of the Russian investor at the defense complex enterprise, it not only breathed a second life into high-tech production but also enthusiastically bears the burden of social responsibility.
It is no coincidence that the deputies began their acquaintance with the updated plant with a non-core facility. The director of "Monolit", Akif Gasymov, being the chairman of the regional handball federation, initiated the creation of a Handball Center at the factory's sports complex. In parallel with the reconstruction of the building and the construction of the relevant infrastructure, a men's team is being formed, as well as a search for experienced specialists to work with children. The plant also retained its children's health camp, is updating the "Verasy" recreation center, and the kitchen of the factory canteen can also be appreciated by the residents of the microdistrict.
Since 2012, the "Monolit" plant has implemented a project to modernize the production of capacitors and thermistors. Now the products allow not only to maintain but also to expand the presence of the Vitebsk manufacturer in the market of passive electronic components.
In 2016 alone, about 2.8 million rubles were invested in fixed capital. Today, in parallel with technical re-equipment, the joint-stock company is starting to master the production of products close in technology to capacitors – surge arresters, polymer insulators, as well as high-voltage varistors, which, by the way, have no analogues in the post-Soviet space.
Sergey Antonov. Photo by Dmitry Osipov. "Vitebskiye Vesti".