Oleg Matskevich on the industry of the Vitebsk region: the focus is on the development of 5 high-tech sectors
The industry of the Vitebsk region will develop in five key areas during the upcoming five-year period. "Priority will be given to the creation and development of new high-tech sectors and industries. This is everything that was defined at the VI All-Belarusian People's Congress. The Vitebsk region will develop national electric transport and the electrical industry, bioindustry, pharmaceuticals, robotics, and the production of composite materials," noted Oleg Matskevich.
The first steps in implementing these areas have already been taken, and innovative and investment projects in these sectors will be actively implemented in 2021-2025.
For example, the installation of electric charging stations and serial production at OJSC "Vityaz" will continue. Enterprises involved in the bioindustry have already been supported by the innovation fund. The Regional Executive Committee has acted as the customer for future projects such as the construction of a digitized plant for the production of innovative veterinary drugs of the "green line" series – an alternative to antibiotics. Development is also underway for the cultivation of a rabies virus strain and the production of a vaccine-containing bait for wild animals. In pharmaceuticals, the work of the first pharmaceutical cluster based on 10 organizations, including the Vitebsk State Medical University, will be aimed at creating pharmaceutical products capable of entering the global market.
Speaking about robotic equipment in production, Oleg Matskevich cited as an example SOOO "Belvest", which is gradually implementing robotic hardware and software complexes developed in the company's own research laboratory. Significant steps have been taken in the production of composite materials since 2018: the Polotsk Composite Cluster was created, which includes 11 enterprises of the country.
Along with high-tech industries, traditional ones will also be developed in the current five-year period. "One of the important areas here will be the petrochemical industry. The modernization of OJSC "Naftan" will be completed, as a result of which the depth of oil refining will increase to 90%, and the yield of light oil products will be about 65%. The production of new types of products will be mastered: granulated and liquid elemental sulfur (68 thousand tons per year) and petroleum coke (462 thousand tons per year). After the commissioning of the delayed coking complex facilities, "Naftan" will be able to fully meet the country's needs for diesel fuel and motor gasoline," Oleg Matskevich said.
He added that in the woodworking industry, the focus will be on the strategy of deep processing of raw materials. The same strategy will be applied in the development of the food industry. "Thanks to the creation of 7 agro-industrial associations, the Vitebsk region will be able to defend its interests and compete in this industry in both domestic and foreign markets. Important tasks facing the heads of associations are the full utilization of meat and milk processing plants and the development of raw material zones," emphasized the First Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee.
In mechanical engineering, organizations without departmental subordination will be created. "We plan to get an additional effect from cooperation through inter-company ties, when industrial giants involve small enterprises engaged in the production of components and import-substituting parts in their production," noted Oleg Matskevich.
At the same time, cooperation is not limited to the Vitebsk region. Small and medium-sized enterprises independently search for sales markets abroad, export their products abroad, and have a stable inflow of foreign currency. Oleg Matskevich called this form of cooperation one of the most promising and emphasized that it will be developed both in large enterprises and in small and medium-sized businesses.
BELTA. Photo by the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee.