The activities of the region's wood processing enterprises must be an order of magnitude better. It is necessary to improve the material and technical base of production, increase the depth of processing of raw materials used, and increase the export volumes of the resulting products. This conclusion was made by the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Nikolai Sherstnev, during his visit to woodworking enterprises in the Rossony, Lepel, and Dokshitsy districts.
The beautiful forests are one of the main assets of the Vitebsk region, noted Nikolai Nikolaevich in a conversation with the Director of the Begomlsky Forestry, Alexey Prokopov, of the Vitebsk State Production Forestry Association. They must be used efficiently and rationally. Processing wood, obtaining competitive products that are in demand in domestic and foreign markets. The funds received should be invested in further production development, ensuring employment, and directed towards paying high wages. By the way, the average monthly salary of the Begomlsky Forestry workers last year exceeded 6.2 million rubles, and the labor productivity growth rate in industrial production, based on revenue per employee, was 121.7% compared to the 2014 level.
As noted by the Chairman of the Dokshitsy District Executive Committee, Oleg Pinchuk, modernization and technical
re-equipment of existing production. Considerable funds were allocated for these purposes in recent years. Last year alone, 8.6 billion rubles were spent. The transformations allowed the enterprise, which has a complete processing cycle, to achieve high results, expand the range of manufactured products, and increase export potential.
At the same time, there are reserves for further development. For example, according to Nikolai Nikolaevich, it is necessary to work more actively with deciduous wood and pay attention to deep processing.
The head of the region also visited the "Begomlsky" woodworking shop. Discussing the nuances of the production process, the emphasis was placed on the issues of product processing technology. Nikolai Sherstnev was primarily interested in the volumes of timber harvesting and processing, the profitability of production, including for individual product types, and its sales.
— Last year, 32.8 thousand cubic meters of wood were processed, which is 121.5% of the 2014 level, — emphasized Alexey Prokopov. — We produced 16.1 thousand cubic meters of lumber, including 7.9 thousand cubic meters for export. We received 27.6 billion rubles in revenue from the sale of products, including 16.8 billion from sales to other countries.
The regional executive committee's task for firewood harvesting was fully completed by the residents of Begoml. To supply organizations and the population with firewood, 52.7 thousand cubic meters of firewood were harvested, and chip production amounted to 24.6 thousand cubic meters. 8.6 thousand tons of pellets were produced, fulfilling the assigned plan by 132.3%. Over the past year, forest products were exported, and services were provided for a total amount of 2.8 million dollars.
— Currently, many business entities of private and state ownership are involved in woodworking, — emphasized Sviatoslav Zarovsky, Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee's Economics Committee. — In addition to forestry enterprises with relevant workshops, this group includes 10 industrial enterprises and about 100 small and medium-sized businesses. Each manufacturer strives to produce high-quality goods, strengthen their image by investing in modern equipment and developing new types of competitive products.
While some have a well-established system of work honed over years, others, relying on their own efforts, are taking their first tentative steps. The experience, advice, and support of colleagues could help them in resolving important issues.
According to Nikolai Sherstnev, it is necessary to gather together and develop a unified strategy. It would be advisable to invite representatives to this meeting as well
of processing companies. This will help to take into account the interests of all those who are interested in increasing the production volumes of woodworking products and export earnings.
— Now everyone is doing their own thing,
without thinking about others. But it should be different, — emphasized Nikolay Nikolayevich. — We
live in one state, which means the task should be unified for everyone,
the interests of entities of different forms of ownership should coincide. Then
productivity and profitability will be much higher.
Diana Bernikovich. Photo by Dmitry Osipov. "Vitebskiye Vesti".
