Vitebsk region intends to attract about Br12 trillion in investments to the region's economy in 2011-2015.

September 11, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. The Vitebsk region intends to attract about Br12 trillion in investments to the region's economy in 2011-2015, Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Alexander Kosinets informed journalists today, BELTA correspondent reports. The main directions of investment activity are defined in the projects of 25 regional programs. Priority will be given to the intensification of the agro-industrial complex, small-scale power engineering, construction of facilities for processing secondary material resources, creation of enterprises for the production of import-substituting machinery and equipment, deep processing of wood, production of modern building materials, development of the tourism sector and creation of infrastructure for recreation and health improvement, and comprehensive development of small towns. According to Alexander Kosinets, in the next five-year period, the region intends to reduce the dependence of the region's economy on enterprises of the fuel and energy sector, reducing their share in the total volume of production from 58% to 33%. For this purpose, the "Small Energy" program will be implemented, which provides for the construction of combined heat and power plants and boiler houses using local fuels, including with the involvement of foreign capital, and the construction of power plants operating on non-traditional and renewable energy sources, such as biogas and water. According to preliminary estimates, 25 regional programs for the socio-economic development of the region for 2011-2015 include about 600 facilities. The program projects will be submitted for consideration and approval by the Regional Council of Deputies. -0-