Vitebsk hosted the honoring of the laureates of the regional prize «Man of the Year of the Vitebsk Region»
– By combining two significant events in the life of the region, we once again emphasize the importance and regularity of declaring 2022 as the Year of Historical Memory. Historical memory is what forms love, devotion, respect for the native Fatherland, readiness to defend and protect one's Motherland, what determines the logic of social existence, – emphasized the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee Alexander Subbotin.
The celebrations were attended by representatives of the executive and legislative authorities of the republic, ministries, all districts of the region and other regions of Belarus, and deputies. The Deputy Head of the Administration of the President of Belarus Maxim Ermolovich read out a greeting from Alexander Lukashenko. Prime Minister of Belarus Roman Golovchenko sent his congratulations via video link, expressing, in particular, confidence that the residents of the Vitebsk region will carefully preserve the people's memory, glorious traditions, loyalty to their native land, and multiply the good fame of their native region.
The Grand Hall of the Vitebsk Concert Hall, where the solemn meeting was held, welcomed former leaders of the region: Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus Vladimir Andreichenko, who headed the region from 1994 to 2008, and Nikolai Sherstnev, who held this post from 2014 to 2021, who were awarded Honorary Diplomas of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee.
In his speech at the solemn meeting, Alexander Subbotin, taking an excursion into the history of the Vitebsk region, focused on memorable dates and prominent personalities who glorified their native region. Among them are the heroes of the Great Patriotic War: Minay Shmyrev, Lev Dovator, Konstantin Zaslonov, Alexei Danukalov, Vera Kholuzhaya, Zinaida Tusnolobova-Marchenko. The region widely celebrates the 105th anniversary of our glorious countryman, Hero of the Soviet Union, Hero of Socialist Labor Petr Masherov.
– The residents of the region have always been worthy workers and defenders of the Fatherland, glorifying their land with peaceful and military deeds. And today, the region continues to actively build up its socio-economic potential, – noted Alexander Subbotin.
Work continues on preserving and increasing the competitiveness of industries traditional for the Dvina region, such as light and food industries, petrochemicals, and woodworking. Based on the results of last year, the Vitebsk region took first place in the republic for goods exports, retail and wholesale trade turnover, and second place for gross regional product and services exports.
Today, the region maintains foreign trade relations with 107 countries of the world. In 2022, new markets were opened, and supplies of products with the Vitebsk brand were organized to the Dominican Republic, Zimbabwe, Iraq, Tunisia, and Ethiopia. Exports to distant arc countries increased 12 (!) times, which is almost 54% of the region's exports. Behind this, as the head of the region emphasized, is the strenuous work carried out by local authorities, the director corps, and professional specialists.
– Investments in fixed capital will be the most important driver of economic growth in the coming years. In 2023, the volume of investments should amount to 3.5 billion rubles, which is 1.4 times more than last year. The implementation of more than 400 projects is planned, and not a single one of them is being dismissed, despite the sanctions factor, – noted Alexander Subbotin.
This year, the list of laureates of the "Man of the Year of Vitebsk Region" award, which has been presented since 2010, has been expanded by 50 representatives of various professions, all sectors of the national economy and industries. These include enterprise managers, workers, livestock breeders, tractor drivers, teachers, representatives of the creative intelligentsia, and law enforcement agencies, etc.
– You are distinguished by your ability to work for results, innovative thinking, patriotism, and determination. Professionals in your field are the golden fund of the region, – addressed the laureates Alexander Subbotin, adding that the chronicle of Vitebsk Region continues in 2023, declared the Year of Peace and Creation in the country.
As part of the event, an exhibition-presentation of the industries of the national economy and cultural heritage of the Vitebsk region was organized. It featured samples of products from enterprises and organizations of the northern region. At one of the venues, visitors could learn about the creativity of folk masters, whose works are included in the list of intangible cultural heritage of Belarus.
The celebrations concluded with a festive concert by the best ensembles of the Vitebsk region.