The award ceremony for the laureates of the regional prize "Person of the Year of Vitebsk Region – 2019" was held in Vitebsk.
– These people, through their deeds and actions, have strengthened the socio-economic potential of the region, demonstrated efficiency, professionalism, responsibility, and patriotism. Thus, they proved that eternal values – love for the Motherland, care for one's neighbor, the desire to do good – are truly priceless, – said the head of the region, preceding the awarding of the laureates.
The ceremony took place in the "Vitebsk" Concert Hall, where honored workers, labor veterans, and delegations from cities and districts of the region gathered. The solemn meeting was attended by the Chairman of the State Control Committee of the Republic of Belarus, Leonid Anfimov, and the Aide to the President – Inspector for Vitebsk Region, Anatoly Linevich.
Summarizing the year, Nikolai Sherstnev emphasized that the Vitebsk region has ensured positive dynamics in the social and production spheres. In particular, more agricultural products were produced than in 2018, investments in fixed capital were attracted, construction and installation works were completed, and goods were sold to the population.
All major sectors of the economy operate with net profit and positive sales profitability. The number of small and medium-sized businesses increased by more than a thousand, the number of self-employed increased 1.2 times, and 46 agro-ecotourism estates were opened. 428 new enterprises started operating, including those for wood processing in the Rossony, Sharkovshchina, Beshenkovichi, Gorodok, and Polotsk districts. Lithuanian investors plan to implement a project for the construction of a complex of wood processing industries, from sawing to pulp production, in the territory of the free economic zone in Vitebsk.
In the Orsha district, the first plant in Belarus for the production of seamless steel cylinders was commissioned. OJSC "Vitebsk Carpets" organized its own production of polypropylene threads. RUP "Vitebskenergo" commissioned a freezing workshop for berries, vegetables, and mushrooms, and the Tolochin Cannery is implementing a potato freezing project.
More than a billion dollars of investment in fixed assets has been attracted to the region's economy. Key projects such as the modernization of the Orsha Flax Mill, OJSC "Naftan", "Polotsk-Steklovolokno", Vitebsk Broiler Poultry Farm, the construction of a metal sheet and tinplate production plant in the Miory district, and the second and third phases of the "Belomino-Orsha" industrial and logistics center are being implemented.
In 2019, the region's farmers increased the harvest of grain and leguminous crops by more than a quarter, and the production of potatoes, rapeseed, milk, and eggs also grew. New dairy farms have been commissioned in the Orsha, Vitebsk, Rossony, Polotsk, Liozno, Chashniki, Senno, and Tolochin districts.
The focus of the authorities, noted Nikolai Sherstnev, is on business development, for the stimulation of which much has been done in recent years. The entrepreneurship sector accounts for one-third of investments and half of the region's goods exports. Large innovative projects are being implemented by private investors.
Much has also been done in the social sphere. For example, a quarter of the region's budget was spent on healthcare financing. The central polyclinic in the Yug-7 microdistrict of Vitebsk, the allergy center in Novopolotsk, the central district polyclinic in Verkhnedvinsk, and a number of district hospitals and dental departments in district centers have been put into operation.
For the fourth year, the "Schools of the Future" project is being implemented in the regions. Based on the results of 2019, the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus recognized the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee as the best in the country for implementing youth policy, and the Main Department for Education of the Regional Executive Committee as the best among structural divisions.
In the Year of the Small Motherland, rural settlements are acquiring a new look. Following the example of the agro-town of Kopys, transformations have affected the urban-type settlements of Bolbasovo, Yezeryshche, Begoml, and Bogushevsk. Vidzy in Braslav District and Obol in Shumilino District are next.
– Order must prevail in everything, and landscaping work should be carried out not only by the local authorities. It is gratifying when residents themselves show more initiative. These efforts are directed for the benefit of our Fatherland and the younger generation, – emphasized the head of the region.
In eleven years since
Since the establishment of the honorary title "Person of the Year of Vitebsk Region", it has been awarded to over a thousand representatives of various professions. The current list includes worthy people dedicated to their work.
Ekaterina Voichenko, Vadim Markovich, and Anna Yakimtsova became laureates of the regional award "Person of the Year of Vitebsk Region – 2019". Ekaterina works in the service sector; she is the manager of the "Spatkanie" cafe of JSC "Polotsk-torg". She creates culinary masterpieces that have been appreciated by connoisseurs of culinary art. At the international competition "Italian Cuisine", held last year in Rimini, our compatriot won a gold medal. Police Major Vadim Markovich from Novopolotsk was recognized as the best district inspector in Belarus. And Anna Yakimtsova, an otolaryngologist at the Children's Regional Hospital, performed a large number of complex operations.
Also among the awardees is Vasily Brilenok, director of the production and commercial firm "Arzhanitsa" of the Gluboksky district. Vasily Anatolyevich continued the work of his father, who at one time opened a private enterprise engaged in the processing of wild berries, particularly cranberries, wild blueberries, lingonberries, and bilberries. In almost a quarter of a century, the family business has become established, the range of manufactured products has significantly expanded, the most famous of which is cranberries in powdered sugar. By the way, boxes with vitamin sweets are included in the presidential gift set, which the head of state presents to officials from other countries.
Vasily Brilenok's compatriot, Tatyana Grabko, was awarded the title "Person of the Year of Vitebsk Region" for,
Perhaps the noblest work is maternal care. Tatyana Mikhailovna is a parent-educator of a family-type children's home, which has existed since 2008. Before that, she was a foster mother, raised nine children, and now she has as many under her care.
Sergey Grekov, a tractor driver-machinist at OJSC "Orsha Grain Processing Plant", threshed 7059 tons during the harvest campaign. This is not only the best result in the region, but also in the country. The private engineering company "Vitebsk Elevators" under the leadership of Andrey Sidorov has developed and produces unique equipment, unparalleled in the CIS, which it exports to 12 countries worldwide.
Vyacheslav Chueshov, an angiosurgeon at the vascular surgery department of the regional clinical hospital, performed about 280 complex operations. Artem Kalimulin, a driver at the fire and rescue post of the Senno district department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, rescued five people during a fire, three of whom were children.
The agro-town of Dobromysl in the Liozno district, whose elder is Galina Marshalova, has been recognized as the best in the republic.
– Those who dedicate all their energy and time to their work achieve success. There is a huge amount in the region
potential for confident progress. I am convinced that only with a responsible attitude to work can we achieve large-scale breakthroughs and tackle ambitious and bold tasks," emphasized Nikolai Sherstnev.After the official part, a concert was held with the participation of the best ensembles and performers who make a significant contribution to creating the image of Vitebsk region as a land rich in talents.
In the foyer, a tasting exhibition of products manufactured by Vitebsk region enterprises was organized, as well as an exposition of works by photographer Dmitry Osipov.
"Vitebskiye Vesti", photos by Dmitry OSIPOV.
For the full list of laureates of the "Person of the Year of Vitebsk Region - 2019" award, see here>>