Enterprises-residents of FEZ "Vitebsk" increased exports of goods by more than a quarter in 2010

February 11, Vitebsk / Sergei Kochetov - BELTA /. The volume of goods exported by resident enterprises of FEZ "Vitebsk" in 2010 increased by more than 25% compared to 2009 and exceeded $140 million, the FEZ administration informed a BELTA correspondent. The main volume of export deliveries (over 90%) is to CIS countries, with Russia's share in the total export volume exceeding 80%. In addition, this year residents carried out foreign trade operations with partners from Germany, the USA, Austria, as well as Lithuania and Latvia. Raw materials, materials and components were imported for $124.3 million, which is 6.3% less than in 2009. Based on the results of the foreign trade activities of FEZ "Vitebsk" in 2010, a positive balance of $15.7 million was formed (excluding oil and oil products, the positive balance was $17.4 million). FEZ residents attracted foreign investments totaling about $23.2 million, including $15.5 million in direct investments. In the structure of direct investments, more than 58% falls on the reinvestment of profits by foreign investors in the development of existing production facilities. In 2010, FEZ residents used Br70.6 billion in investments, of which about 75% (Br53.2 billion) were directed to fixed capital. Taking into account the development of funds from the republican budget for the development of the infrastructure of FEZ "Vitebsk", the total volume of investments in fixed capital in the FEZ amounted to Br58.2 billion, of which over 94% were directed to the construction and reconstruction of production facilities, as well as to the purchase of new equipment. The volume of industrial production at resident enterprises amounted to Br716 billion and increased by more than 21% in comparable prices compared to 2009. Almost 50% of the total production volume was import-substituting products; a total of 14 resident enterprises of FEZ "Vitebsk" are included in the import substitution program. Revenue from the sale of products (works, services) amounted to Br836.5 billion. Residents received a net profit of almost Br13 billion, and Br75.7 billion was transferred to the budget and extrabudgetary funds. Over the year, more than 600 jobs were created at resident enterprises, and their total number, as of January 1, 2011, exceeded 8.8 thousand. FEZ "Vitebsk" was established in August 1999. Today, 38 investment projects are being implemented in the FEZ. More than 60% of FEZ "Vitebsk" residents are joint and foreign enterprises, established with the participation of investors from 13 countries, including Germany, Poland, the USA, the Czech Republic, Great Britain, Russia, Canada, Holland, and Israel. The industrial potential of the FEZ is based on enterprises operating in the fields of machine building, woodworking, food, chemical, fuel, and light industries. The territory of the free economic zone includes 12 sectors with a total area of over 2.1 thousand hectares, which are located within the city of Vitebsk, Postavy, Orsha, Barani, the urban-type settlement of Bolbasovo (Orshansky district), as well as in the Vitebsk region.