Vitebsk region will allocate Br50 billion from the budget for the development of trade in 2010

December 24, Vitebsk / Olga Bogacheva - BELTA /. Br50 billion of budget funds will be directed to the development of trade in the Vitebsk region in 2010. This was stated by the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Alexander Kosinets today at the opening ceremony of the private enterprise "Smolensk Kolkhoz Market", reports a BELTA correspondent. Investments will be directed towards the creation of new retail facilities, the reconstruction of existing ones, as well as the acquisition of modern retail equipment. At the same time, it should be taken into account that the final amount of investment will be significantly higher, as enterprise and investor funds will also be used for these purposes. In 2010, representatives of authorities should give priority attention to the development of trade in the regional center, large cities and district centers, as well as the creation of optimal conditions in the region's markets. After all, as of today, out of 25 markets in the region, only 3 (including the reconstructed Smolensk market) meet all the established requirements, noted Alexander Kosinets. In addition, the region needs to develop an effective trade policy and establish close ties between trade and producers. According to the governor, this is one of the most important tasks for the next year. The reconstruction of the retail rows of the industrial goods zone of the Smolensk Kolkhoz Market was completed in almost a year. The total area of the facility is 4.2 thousand sq.m, with 189 retail pavilions located here. The total amount of invested funds is Br9.3 billion. Currently, the second phase of reconstruction is being prepared: it is planned to reconstruct the existing central building of the market, the food rows, build 45 new pavilions and improve the adjacent territory. The long-term plan for the third phase provides for the construction of a new modular two-story pavilion with a retail area of 2 thousand sq.m. In total, in 2009, over 15 thousand sq.m of retail pavilion and shop space were commissioned in the Vitebsk region, creating decent conditions for both sellers and buyers. -0-