Vitebsk region plans to focus on innovation and the development of enterprises working with local raw materials

Today, the successful socio-economic development of the region can be ensured by the effective work of each of its residents towards a final result. This was discussed on December 22 at a session of the regional Council of Deputies.

The coming year marks the beginning of another five-year plan, and thus lays the foundation for the medium-term development prospects of the region. The First Deputy Chairman of the regional executive committee, Gennady Grebnev, once again emphasized to the managers that 2016 will be a period of strict budget constraints.

In such conditions, all resources and reserves must be mobilized to return the regional economy to a growth trajectory. For the first time, the practice of key performance indicators is being introduced. Their list will be determined by the government in the near future, and quantitative parameters will be established by a decision of the regional executive committee and communicated to each head of the district executive committee, as well as all business entities with a controlling stake of state ownership.

– There should be no references to changing conditions. It must be clearly understood that these indicators represent the balance of the economy and budget, the resolution of social issues, and the growth of people's well-being,

– emphasized the First Deputy Chairman of the regional executive committee. Moreover, the year will be rich in important socio-political events, including the preparation and conduct of elections for deputies of the lower house of parliament, which, according to preliminary data, will take place in the autumn of 2016.

As Gennady Grebnev noted, in the concluding five-year period, the Vitebsk region has managed to ensure progressive movement forward in the economic sphere and maintain a stable socio-political situation. Although its final year was challenging, overall, during this period, growth in gross regional product was achieved, and volumes of industrial production, retail trade turnover, exports of goods and services, and real wages increased. Revenue from sales increased 4-fold, profit 7-fold, and sales profitability improved, including in industry, construction, and the service sector, etc.

The main goals of the socio-economic development of the region for the future are to increase the competitiveness of the economy and the standard of living of the population. Based on this, tactical tasks have been formed for various spheres of life, the successful resolution of which will allow the main indicator – the growth of gross regional product (100.4%) – to be met.

The main task for the industrial complex should be to ensure the effective development of enterprises and increase output. To achieve this, measures must be taken to utilize existing capacities, reduce costs, develop new types of products, and implement advanced technologies. The focus should be on the accelerated development of enterprises working with local raw materials.

Although the region's agricultural sector found itself in a difficult financial situation, the steps taken, including the creation of large integrated structures, provide grounds for optimism about the future. However, for this to happen, Gennady Grebnev demanded that specialists fundamentally restructure their mindset and work on the development of agricultural organizations.

In this sector, it is necessary to increase the productivity of the dairy herd, continue the development of beef cattle breeding and the restoration of the pig population, provide livestock with inexpensive feed of their own production, and implement a number of other measures. All of this should be aimed at achieving the main goal – restoring the growth of gross output in the agro-industrial complex, increasing revenue by at least 20%, and reaching break-even operations.

– The main thing is to manage resources effectively, earn money and profit,

– concisely formulated the guidelines for the villagers Gennady Grebnev.

The government's export target for 2016 is expected to be met by further increasing the degree of processing of exported products and increasing supplies by 6-8% to the markets of the Middle East, Central Asia and Europe. Local exporters need to maintain their positions in Russia and the CIS by expanding the range of goods shipped. Another resource for increasing export revenue is attracting foreigners to new tourist facilities in Gluboksky, Beshenkovichsky and Rossony districts.

Sergey Antonov, "Vitebskie vesti".