FEZ "Vitebsk" plans to commission a business center in one of the zone's sectors in 2010

October 16, Vitebsk / Sergey Kotovets - BELTA/. The FEZ "Vitebsk" plans to commission a business center in one of the zone's sectors in 2010, Deputy Head of the FEZ Administration Vladimir Timoshchenko told a BELTA correspondent. The construction of the facility is envisaged by the comprehensive program for the development of the FEZ "Vitebsk" and is being carried out at the most promising site for investors in the regional center, "Zhurzhevo". The business center will provide full support and development for the business of resident enterprises, Vladimir Timoshchenko is confident. It is planned to house office premises, conference rooms and negotiation rooms, and to create a network of services. In addition, the FEZ administration is considering the possibility of creating a consulting company that will undertake functions to ensure conditions for the successful operation of FEZ residents. New energy capacities are planned to be introduced in this sector, which will make it possible to fully meet the electricity needs of existing and potential residents, and to build engineering and transport infrastructure, including a railway branch. The implemented set of measures for the development of the "Zhurzhevo" sector will create a new industrial hub with a potential workforce of about 5,000 people. Today, the FEZ administration is negotiating with potential investors who are considering this sector as a site for future production facilities. They have announced projects with a total investment volume of about $100 million. Over the decade of its operation, the FEZ "Vitebsk" has directed about $70 million to the development of its territory and infrastructure. At the same time, for every Br1 of state investment in the development of the FEZ, more than Br30 of investment has been attracted from investors' funds. The FEZ "Vitebsk" was established in August 1999. Today, 34 residents from 13 countries, including Germany, Poland, the USA, the Czech Republic, Great Britain, Russia, and Canada, operate in the FEZ. The industrial potential of the FEZ is based on enterprises operating in the fields of machine building and metalworking, food, chemical, fuel, and light industries. In 2008, residents produced products worth over Br500 billion, which is 121% of the 2007 level. Last year, products and services worth almost $150 million were exported, or more than 70% of the total volume of products produced. The amount of taxes and fees paid for 2008 exceeded Br75 million. The average number of employees in the enterprises exceeds 8,000 people. The territory of the free economic zone includes seven sectors with a total area of over 1.2 thousand hectares.