In 2009, non-state enterprises of the Vitebsk region invested Br527 billion in production.

June 3, Vitebsk / Sergey Kochetov - BELTA /. Non-state enterprises of the Vitebsk region invested Br527 billion in production development in 2009, or more than 20% of the total investment in the region. This was announced by Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee Oleg Matskevich today at the award ceremony for the winners and laureates of the regional competition "Best Entrepreneur of the Year," according to a BELTA correspondent. Entrepreneurship is an important and integral part of the socio-economic complex. Today, more than 82,000 people are employed in the non-state sector of the economy of the Vitebsk region, and their number has tripled over the past 4 years. Last year alone, over 18,000 jobs were created in the private sector, or 72% of the total number of jobs created in the region. More than 7.5 thousand small and medium-sized enterprises operate in the region, and over 29 thousand individual entrepreneurs are employed. The entrepreneurial sector accounts for about 3% of the industrial production volume, 8% of the consumer goods production volume, almost 30% of retail turnover, and more than 40% of household services. In 2009, non-state enterprises implemented 7 large import-substitution projects with a total investment volume of Br34 billion. For example, Energokomplekt LLC mastered the production of high-voltage power cable, and Vik - Animal Health IE began producing new types of drugs for the prevention and treatment of farm animals. The share of certified products in the total production volume of non-state sector enterprises exceeds 60%, which indicates its high quality. According to Oleg Matskevich, a legal framework for the activities of small businesses has been created in the country, so small businesses can reach a new level of development. The priority task for entrepreneurship is the creation of new enterprises and the production of innovative products. It is also necessary to increase the degree of participation of private business in solving such problems as expanding production activities and developing export of services, believes the Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee. Promising areas for private initiative should include consulting services, development of cooperation with large enterprises, roadside service, and development of the infrastructure of agro-towns. Oleg Matskevich congratulated the winners and laureates of the competition, who were determined in 14 nominations, and presented them with the honorary badge "Star of Pridvinye," as well as diplomas and memorable souvenirs. Based on the results of 2009, the best producer of consumer goods was Belvest SOOO, industrial goods - Mnogoprofilnoe NPP Elektro pribor LLC (Vitebsk), food products - Vitella IE. In the field of construction, the winner was Ligmod LLC (Novopolotsk), trade - Interfarm Company CJSC, medical activities - Simurg Medical Enterprise CJSC (Vitebsk). The best organization with foreign investment was Fortex - Water Technologies SOOO, the best exporter - Vik - Animal Health IE (Novopolotsk), the best organizer of new jobs - Letesko and K LLC (Polotsk). The winner in the service sector was individual entrepreneur Vladimir Provalsky (Vitebsk), fitness and health services - individual entrepreneur Elena Lyakh (Novopolotsk), in the tourism sector - Center for Tourist Services LLC (Postavy). The best farm was recognized as Vasilenok Farm Enterprise (Orshansky District), the best bank for providing services to entrepreneurs was the branch No. 5 of Belgazprombank OJSC (Vitebsk) based on the year's results. -0-