Chairman of the Orsha District Executive Committee Igor Isachenko spoke about the work done over the year and plans for the future
The correspondent of "Vitebskiye Vesti" met with the Chairman of the Orsha District Executive Committee Igor Isachenko to learn firsthand about the work done to make the Orsha region a model district for the country, what needs to be done, and what concerns the local authorities most today.
– Igor Vladimirovich, let's start our conversation with the economy, as its real sector is the basis of any society, ensuring all other spheres.
– Currently, more than 62,000 people are employed in the district's economy, including over three thousand individual entrepreneurs. More than a thousand organizations of various forms of ownership operate here. Foreign trade turnover and export of services have increased. Enterprises and organizations of the district supply products to 50 countries around the world, and export-import operations are carried out with 60 states. Profitable work is ensured both in the national economy complex as a whole and in all main types of economic activity. The number of loss-making organizations has decreased. Compared to 2018 levels, the volumes of industrial products by physical volume index, agricultural production, trade turnover, investments in fixed capital, and construction and installation works have increased.
– In your opinion, how important is the introduction of new technologies and achievements of scientific and technical progress into the economy today?
– Scientific and technological progress and the potential of any region are the main drivers of the economy. Orsha enterprises are actively working to implement the developments of Belarusian scientists in production, and to implement a number of investment projects, more than half of which can be classified as innovative. For example, at the Orsha Tool Plant, it is a new cutting tool; at the Legmash plant, it is technological equipment for the oil and gas industry; in the agro-industrial sector, it is dairy farms and a complex for preparing crop seeds.
It is impossible to fulfill the tasks set by the head of state without non-standard projects and innovative approaches to work.
A pilot technological project "Smart City" and a model "Smart Road Control Center" of the "Autodata" platform are planned for implementation in the territory of Orsha and the Orsha district.
– The past year was difficult for farmers. Nevertheless, Orsha region is the agricultural backbone of the Vitebsk region. How do you assess the work in this direction?
– Yes, the year was difficult for the agricultural sector. The weather was not favorable for the grain growers of the district, however, there was a production growth of 1.2 times for both grain crops and rapeseed.
The growth rate of gross agricultural output for January-November 2019 was 105.6%.
The created integration structure based on the Orsha KhKP included 11 organizations of the district in a difficult financial situation this year. The 106 units of equipment received in 2019 allowed for the timely completion of the entire complex of agricultural work and made a certain groundwork for the development of the industry – an optimal structure of sown areas was formed, and autumn plowing was carried out.
The investment project for the extrusion of full-fat soybeans at Ekomol Agro has been completed, and a workshop for the production of frozen vegetables and berries has been launched at the Teplichny branch.
In 2019, a dairy farm was commissioned in the village of Staiky. The financial results of agricultural organizations improved – a net profit of 13 million rubles was obtained, compared to a net loss in 2018, revenue from sales per employee increased 1.2 times, and the number of loss-making organizations decreased.
– A lot is being done to stimulate entrepreneurial activity. Please tell us more about this.
– Small and medium-sized businesses play an important role in the region's development. After all, it is a strategic resource and an internal source of economic development. Today, it accounts for 28% of budget revenues.
More than 4,000 business entities operate in the district. 50 new enterprises and production facilities have started their activities, creating over 200 jobs.
Therefore, stimulating entrepreneurship has been one of our key tasks for the past few years. It is noteworthy that in 2019, 79 business entities took advantage of benefits and preferences in connection with the application of Decree No. 506.
It should be noted that the Orsha District Executive Committee has a council for the development of entrepreneurship, two entrepreneurship support centers, and a small business incubator, which provide legal, accounting, and consulting services.
The practice of transferring unused real estate objects to private ownership for the implementation of investment projects and the creation of new jobs is actively used.
– How significant has Decree No. 506 been for the development of the social sphere?
– It can be confidently stated that the necessary conditions for obtaining quality education are being created in the district, and a good foundation has been laid for the development of healthcare, culture, and sports.
A resource center for the mechanical engineering profile has been launched at the Orsha Mechanical and Economic College for training on modern equipment and mastering new technologies. Currently, a resource center for studying and diagnosing modern agricultural machinery is being created at the Orsha State Agrarian College. In terms of culture, over 2.7 million rubles were allocated to strengthen the material and technical base of its institutions. Work on developing tourism infrastructure continues. It should be noted that in 2019, the Orsha region was visited by over 11,000 guests from different countries. Given the significant potential of the district, new types of tourism such as industrial and sports tourism have emerged. Huge transformations have affected the healthcare sector. Last year, the export of medical services increased by 21%.
– The past two years have been marked by the Year of Small Motherland. How has the region improved during this time? What are your plans for 2020?
– Undoubtedly, the region has been transformed. In 2019 alone, about 70 small landscape and architectural forms were created, and a park of family trees was planted. Not to mention the improvement of residential areas and the arrangement of playgrounds. Memorial sites and historical and cultural objects are maintained in proper condition.
Street and road networks have been repaired, streets are being landscaped, and dilapidated houses are being demolished.
It should also be noted that to improve the quality of life of the region's population, 10 water iron removal stations were commissioned in 2019.
In industry, in 2020, the 3rd stage of modernization of the Orsha Flax Combine, the implementation of innovative projects at the Legmash plant, the production of modern metal-cutting and auxiliary tools at the tool factory, ring rolling production at the PAK plant, the construction of a slaughter and processing shop for pork and cattle at the meat canning plant, and others will continue.
In agriculture, with the involvement of technologies from the Israeli company "Agrigo", the construction of a pig breeding complex for 5,000 sows near the village of Goryany will continue. We plan to complete the construction of the innovative dairy complexes "Kupalinka", "Ustye", "Churilovo".
In the housing and communal services system, we will continue to build iron removal stations, replace heating networks, and carry out major repairs of residential buildings.
This year, we plan to begin implementing the roadmap of the "Smart City" program. A number of social sphere facilities will be reconstructed and repaired.
In other words, the implementation of the tasks set for 2020 in the real economy sector and the social sphere will continue to work towards achieving our main goal – improving the standard and quality of life of the population through increased economic competitiveness, attracting investment, and innovative development.
Everything depends on us, our aspirations, desires, and correct decisions.
– What concerns the head of the district the most today?
– What concerns our people concerns me the most. Not a single appeal goes unnoticed – each is given due attention. My main goal is to create conditions for a decent life for Orsha residents. There can be no trifles in these matters. I believe that the main priority of the local government should be the person and their well-being.
— Undoubtedly, you cannot do everything alone. Who are your allies?
– First of all, it is a team of like-minded people who have been formed and with whom all tasks become solvable. We must also mention the enormous support of the leadership of the Vitebsk region and our country.