Vitebsk Distillery invested Br3.8 billion in fixed assets in 2009.

January 28, Vitebsk / Olga Bogacheva - BELTA /. Vitebsk Distillery Unitary Enterprise invested Br3.8 billion in its fixed capital in 2009, the enterprise informed a BELTA correspondent. Thanks to the invested funds, the plant commissioned a reception unit for cognac and cognac drinks, launched new non-alcoholic beverage production, acquired a water treatment station that significantly improved the quality of manufactured products, and purchased new equipment for the distillery and other production facilities of the enterprise. The enterprise is set to implement a number of major projects in 2010. In particular, the construction of the second stage of the cognac unit, a grain storage facility, and a grain dryer will continue. To reduce energy costs, the implementation of energy-saving technologies for grain processing into alcohol has already begun. In addition, in the first half of the year, the plant plans to start producing drinking and mineral water. In 2009, the enterprise produced products worth Br50.4 billion, or 114% of the previous year's level. Consumer goods production amounted to Br51.4 billion (113.5% respectively). The output of vodka and distillery products was about 1.5 million decaliters (107% of the 2008 level), rectified spirit - 612 thousand decaliters (107.2%), cognac - 13 thousand decaliters, and non-alcoholic beverages - 29 thousand decaliters. Export growth in 2009 reached 114.6% compared to 2008. Products were supplied to Russia, Abkhazia, Latvia, Estonia, Kyrgyzstan, Bulgaria, Armenia, and China. This year, the enterprise plans to significantly expand cooperation with foreign partners and find new ones. For example, the first shipment of alcohol to Germany was made in January. Vitebsk Distillery was founded in 1898. The range of alcoholic products manufactured includes almost 50 items. The average number of employees is 520 people. -0-