Over Br7 trillion is required for the technical re-equipment of industrial enterprises in the Vitebsk region.

March 2, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. Over Br7 trillion is needed for the technical re-equipment and modernization of industrial enterprises in the Vitebsk region. This was announced today at a press conference by the First Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Vladimir Novatsky, as reported by a BELTA correspondent. The economy of the Vitebsk region is dependent on the performance of the petrochemical complex. Just a few years ago, the share of petrochemical enterprises in the total industrial output reached 67-70%. By the end of the current five-year period, this figure needs to be reduced to 33-36% by accelerating production growth in other sectors - mechanical engineering, woodworking, light and processing industries. As Vladimir Novatsky noted, the lag incurred by Naftan OJSC in 2010 was largely compensated for the regional budget thanks to the successful work of communal enterprises and small businesses. However, to significantly reduce the impact of the petrochemical complex on the economy, it is necessary to re-equip and modernize enterprises in mechanical engineering and light industry in the coming years. The wear and tear of equipment in these sectors reaches 93-95%. Serious tasks for creating new competitive products face the design bureaus of enterprises. In 2010, investments in fixed assets for the region's enterprises as a whole amounted to Br5.5 trillion, half of which were investments from communal enterprises and enterprises under no departmental subordination. The Regional Executive Committee intends to further promote the creation of new import-substituting and export-oriented production facilities. This year, the joint Belarusian-Russian limited liability company "Grandiscar" plans to launch serial production of special-purpose equipment for healthcare and law enforcement agencies in the FEZ "Vitebsk". There are no analogues of such an enterprise in the republic. Despite the fact that the products are still undergoing tests to obtain conformity certificates, an order for their production has already been received from the State Border Committee. A successful example of import-substituting and export-oriented production is the pharmaceutical company "Belvitunipharm". At the end of 2010, the first stage of the business plan for the creation of a filling and packaging production facility was completed, and in December, the first product was released - an anti-inflammatory ointment. In several months of operation, products worth Br450 million were produced and sold for Br250 million. A foreign investor is showing interest in this enterprise and intends to participate in its privatization and become a co-owner. This will allow not only attracting investments for the development of modern production but also gaining access to modern pharmacological developments. According to preliminary forecasts, in the first quarter of 2011, the gross regional product of the Vitebsk region will increase by 10% compared to the same period in 2010. -0-