The share of petrochemicals in the total industrial output of the Vitebsk region needs to be reduced - A. Kosinets

January 28, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. The share of the petrochemical industry in the total volume of industrial production of the Vitebsk region needs to be reduced, while increasing the share of other industries. This was stated today at a meeting of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee by its chairman Alexander Kosinets, BELTA correspondent reports. According to preliminary data, the production volume at Naftan OJSC in January of the current year amounted to 76% compared to the same period in 2009. This may negatively affect the results of the region's work in January. At the same time, the intensive development of mechanical engineering, machine tool building, light industry, and electronics would help avoid the dependence of the region's economy on the oil refining enterprise. The chairman of the regional executive committee noted that in the current year, the region has undertaken increased commitments and intends to fulfill the five-year plan by November 1, 2010. To achieve this goal, the growth rate of industrial production in comparable prices should be 125% with a planned target of 111-113%, and labor productivity should double. Priority development in the current year will be given to the development of innovative and import-substituting industries. It is planned to create about 100 enterprises and new production facilities in the region. Work on the development of new types of products will continue. In 2009, its share was about 19%. In the year of quality, close attention will be paid to the implementation of modern standards and product certification. In 2009, in the Vitebsk region, the growth in industrial production in comparable prices compared to 2008 was 6.2%, and consumer goods - 5.9%. The output of excavators increased by 38%, the production of liquid crystal and plasma screen televisions increased by almost 74%, and enterprises began to produce more furniture, knitwear, carpets, meat, hard cheeses, and butter. -0-