Entrepreneurs need to show more economic initiative - A.Kosinetz

December 2, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Alexander Kosinets urged entrepreneurs to show more initiative and more actively engage in the region's investment activities. He stated this today at a meeting with representatives of small and medium-sized businesses in the Vitebsk region, a BELTA correspondent reports. The region has developed 25 investment programs for 2011-2015 with a total investment volume of Br12 trillion. They are aimed at developing various sectors of the economy, from small-scale energy to tourism and culture. According to the governor, there is room for small business and private initiative in these programs. For example, small businesses should take the initiative in creating a high-tech park in the Vitebsk region. Attracting private construction companies will help implement plans for the construction of new facilities and the reconstruction of existing ones. In agriculture, farmers can pay attention to such sectors as animal husbandry and fruit growing. Roadside service and tourism infrastructure will develop more actively if private entities undertake them. "We have no restrictions on entrepreneurial activities," Alexander Kosinets emphasized. In turn, the chairman of the regional executive committee promised comprehensive assistance to the non-state sector of the economy. Expenditures on supporting entrepreneurship will significantly increase. Over the next two years, it is planned to allocate over Br50 billion from the budget for the entrepreneurship development program and the construction of a business center. The business center will become a place where small businesses will be provided with office space on preferential terms, and a small business incubator will be located there. Private construction companies will gain access to long-term plans for the construction of facilities; an order for this was given directly at the meeting. In addition, entrepreneurs are invited to participate in the development of the regional entrepreneurship support program for 2011-2012. At the same time, Alexander Kosinets emphasized that honesty and integrity should remain a distinguishing feature of entrepreneurs. It is unacceptable to pay wages in envelopes or conduct business bypassing the law. "Behind you are our people, who should receive decent wages for their labor. The well-being of the state will depend on the well-being of the people," he added. In the Vitebsk region, there are currently 7.6 thousand non-departmental legal entities registered, and more than 29 thousand individual entrepreneurs. The share of private business in the region's total production volume is 7.8%. By 2015, it is planned to increase this figure to 15.2%. -0-