Chairman of the Horodok District Executive Committee Petr Korobach: "The future belongs to the village"

About three months have passed since Pyotr Korobach was appointed Chairman of the Horadok District Executive Committee. He has already managed to get acquainted with the district and is ready to tell the readers of "Vitebskiye Vesti" about its development prospects.

— Horadok region is one of the largest districts in the country, with forests covering more than half of its territory. There is indescribable beauty, many lakes and rivers, as well as a rich historical heritage. The existing infrastructure in the district center and in the countryside is among the best in the country: modern social, trade, public catering, and housing and communal services facilities, and roads are in decent condition. Most of the reconstruction and modernization work was carried out as part of the preparations for the regional "Dazhynki-2014". People are mainly engaged in agriculture, and there are not many industrial enterprises: OJSC "Gorodok Poultry Farm", whose products are known throughout the republic and abroad, SOOO "Lanatex", RKP "Center for the Disposal of Aviation Weapons", KUPP "Boiler and Heat Supply Enterprise".

— Picturesque places and good infrastructure are an incentive for tourism development, aren't they?

— You are right. Our region is attractive for hunting and fishing enthusiasts, so the tourism and recreation industry is one of the promising areas. Sports tourism is a separate topic. After the appearance of a modern ski-roller track in the Gorodok region, Belarusian and Russian athletes come here for training camps. The schedule is made a year in advance and does not allow us to accommodate everyone who wants to. Our hotel is also 100% full. But the potential is far from exhausted: we are building a swimming pool, and in the future, we plan to build a two-story complex with simulators, including special ones for skiers, and a shooting range. All this will make the northern region even more attractive for representatives of sports. The network of agro-ecotourism estates and the range of services they provide will also be expanded, and hunting grounds where one can hunt red deer will appear, as well as websites with detailed information about the region and its beauties.

— Will Gorodok region retain its status as an agricultural district?

— I am sure that our future is in one way or another connected with the land. In agriculture, we will invest money in modernization, improve crop rotation, etc. Unfortunately, the results are not yet pleasing; this year's yield was 22.6 c/ha. It is well known that our lands are not as good as in other districts; their average score is less than twenty, but scientists will help us figure out what is profitable to sow, how to increase labor productivity and reduce costs, and increase yields by 1.5-2 times. I think the main emphasis will be on livestock, technical re-equipment, and consolidation of farms. The flagships will be "Detskoselsky-Gorodok," "Severny," and "Ptitsфабрика "Gorodok." As for the currently unprofitable enterprises, such as Rayagropromsnab and the flax factory, their fate is still under consideration. Tourism development is also planned.

— Are there prerequisites for the emergence of large businesses in the Gorodok region?

— The district's potential for investment is significant and not fully realized. This includes the rational use of natural resources such as timber, gravel, sapropel, artesian water, as well as the development of logistics activities, given the district's favorable location near Russia. Today, we are focusing on small businesses, as entrepreneurs, with proper support, are capable of making a significant contribution to the development of the district's economy.

— Thank you for the conversation.

Oleg Shvedov, "Vitebskiye Vesti". Photos by the author.