Nikolai Sherstnev: eliminating the shortcomings of the past five-year plan contains huge reserves for growth

Eliminating the shortcomings of the past five-year period holds huge reserves for growth in 2016-2020. This opinion was voiced today at a meeting with participants of the V All-Belarusian People's Assembly from the Vitebsk region by the chairman of the regional executive committee, Nikolai Sherstnev.

Over the past five years, the region has seen qualitative growth in export potential, and cardinal changes have begun in the management of the agro-industrial complex.

"The achievement of the goals and objectives of the regional socio-economic development program for 2011-2015 took place in difficult economic conditions, and shortcomings at the local level also had an impact. Their elimination holds huge reserves for growth," noted Nikolai Sherstnev.

He explained that this particularly concerns industry, agriculture, construction, and education, to which, incidentally, more than 30% of the expenditure part of the budget has been allocated in recent years. In general, growth in key indicators has been ensured in the region. "Socio-political stability, public tranquility have been preserved, and an increase in the quality of life of the population has been ensured - this is the main thing, the foundation. Over five years, the average monthly salary, real wages taking into account the price index growth, real monetary incomes of citizens, and the average pension size have increased. The registered unemployment rate was 1.1%," Nikolai Sherstnev cited examples. He also focused on achievements in demography. The birth rate improved from 10.1 per thousand population in 2010 to 11.2 by the end of 2015. Life expectancy also increased by 3.5 years, and today it is 72.9 years. "This is a very serious leap, the most important result of our society's activities. Everything else affects mortality and birth rates. They are created by producers. The money that is redistributed to the social sphere is earned by them," emphasized the chairman of the regional executive committee.

For example, growth in gross regional product, labor productivity, export of services, retail trade turnover, and other indicators has been ensured. In addition, almost 2 million square meters of housing have been commissioned, and about 300 healthcare facilities have been built and modernized.

and education. Cultural institutions, sports facilities, railway stations, roads, and service sector facilities have appeared and been updated. In general, Br81.1 trillion of investment in fixed assets was directed towards the development of the region's economy and social sphere. $3.5 billion of foreign investment was attracted to the economy, including $564 million in direct investment (a 5.2-fold increase compared to the previous five-year period). In his speech, the head of the region outlined the main directions for the region's development for 2016-2020 and, in conclusion, urged the delegates of the upcoming People's Assembly to engage in joint productive work to solve the most important state tasks. Vitebsk region will be represented at the All-Belarusian People's Assembly by 350 elected delegates: workers of industrial enterprises and the agro-industrial complex, military personnel, students, representatives of republican and local government bodies, deputies of the National Assembly, members of the Council of the Republic, and deputies of local councils.

Ekaterina Knyazeva - BELTA.