Vladimir Zinovskiy presented the concept of the socio-economic development program for the Orsha district

Vladimir Zinovsky paid a working visit to the Orsha district yesterday. The purpose of the trip was to discuss the main approaches to the development of the district and to invite private businesses to participate in the development of the socio-economic development program.

Opening the meeting with representatives of the authorities and businesses, Vladimir Zinovsky emphasized five main objectives of the program: creating conditions for sustainable economic development of the district, increasing population income, eliminating territorial imbalances in labor and wages, reducing the outflow of labor resources, and comfortable living conditions. The solution of these tasks requires effective development of private business alongside the public sector, which has greater mobility and receptiveness to new ideas, therefore, one of the key blocks of the program is the development of entrepreneurship.

"Today, I would like to discuss in which areas small and medium-sized businesses are already ready to actively participate in the development of the district, what support from the state is needed for this, and what resources businesses are counting on," proposed Vladimir Zinovsky.

The head of the ministry informed about the work on simplifying business conditions carried out in the country. In particular, it is planned to simplify the procedure and conditions for opening retail, social service, and public catering facilities, obtaining permits and approvals, as well as to optimize sanitary, epidemiological, and fire safety requirements. The reduction of the number of licensed activities and the expansion of the list of activities not related to entrepreneurship are envisaged.

Vladimir Zinovsky stated that small businesses receive significant support in Belarus. "We have many legislative acts aimed at helping small businesses. Soon, a decree and several presidential decrees to it will be issued, also on the liberalization of doing business. We are talking about simplifying administrative procedures, licensing, and many other things."

moments, - the minister noted. - I don't think any special benefits are needed for, for example, small businesses to operate in the Orsha district. We need to use the decrees, resolutions, etc., that already exist. This is quite enough for small businesses to develop at a good pace. The main thing is not to hinder it, but to strive to help."

According to Vladimir Zinovsky, this assistance can also be expressed in the fastest possible transfer of unused premises to entrepreneurs.

According to the minister, unused state-owned premises are another reserve for the development of industrial business. A revision of state-owned real estate objects in the district is currently underway. "As a result, a list of objects will be formed that can be provided to businesses under certain conditions for the creation of new enterprises and industries," the minister emphasized.

During the meeting, Vladimir Zinovsky also outlined the key directions and projects of the program, the locomotive of which is the industrial block. The creation of new industries is planned on the basis of existing state enterprises. However, the Ministry of Economy is not satisfied with the payback period of individual projects. "To maintain competitiveness in global markets, technology and equipment must be updated at least every five years. It is desirable to adhere to this payback period when developing investment projects," the minister noted.

Vladimir Zinovsky noted that the formation of growth points in Orsha, Barani, Bolbasovo, Orekhovsk, and Kopys opens up new opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses. As such, he cited the creation of private sewing enterprises in the flax cluster and participation in the sale of products to foreign markets. The new transport and logistics center in Bolbasovo will also open up great opportunities for private business.

Characterizing the social block of the program, Vladimir Zinovsky emphasized that its main task is to create comfortable living conditions for the population. One of the priorities is solving issueshousing affordability, including by reducing the cost per square meter. Among the priorities are also quality road infrastructure, job creation within an hour's commute, improved quality of trade and consumer services in rural areas, and training of qualified personnel for blue-collar professions. "The future of the district, the region, and the country as a whole depends on the cultural platform on which youth education takes place," stated Vladimir Zinovskiy. "The Ministry of Economy is ready to consider any constructive proposals from businesses. To date, we have prepared the program structure. We will work out its content in detail not only with local authorities, ministries, and concerns, but also with businesses. Therefore, we expect active participation from entrepreneurs in this work and specific proposals for the program project," summarized Vladimir Zinovskiy.

The Minister also visited the insulation production enterprise "Akoterm-flax," a sewing workshop, and the non-ferrous metal processing enterprise LLC "Monolit PDM" and OJSC "Orsha Food Processing Plant." During meetings with the management of the enterprises, prospects for the development of organizations and problematic issues of their functioning were discussed.

According to the Minister, the vacant premises of former industrial giants should be actively used for organizing small businesses. "More than 1 million square meters of space are currently unused in the country. Why are we afraid to transfer them? The head of state has made all the necessary decisions, but we locally, for some reason, are thinking, hesitating. Decisions need to be made quickly. While we are thinking like this, the premises are falling apart. And what then?" said Vladimir Zinovskiy.

The topic of involving unused areas of former industrial giants of the USSR into economic circulation arose during the visit to the multidisciplinary enterprise LLC "Monolit PDM" in the village of Orekhovsk (the enterprise was created on the premises of OJSC "Lantan"). Currently, a sewing workshop and a production facility for processing and extracting scrap and waste containing precious metals (precious metal processing) operate here. Vladimir Zinovskiy noted that his visit to this enterprise evoked mixed emotions in him.

"I was both pleased and disappointed. Look at the huge areas! And to this day, we have not been able to solve the problems of their use so that they are involved and work for the country's economy," the minister said. "And what pleased me is that two excellent small enterprises have been created. Belarusian and Azerbaijani capital is working in these areas."

According to him, small businesses should be confident that the state will not take away these areas tomorrow, into which significant funds have already been invested in organizing production. "Therefore, of course, we need to negotiate with the Ministry of Industry and transfer such areas into communal ownership. Then the regional executive committee will be able to organizationally resolve the issue of transferring or selling unused areas at a basic value for organizing new or expanding existing businesses. And this is an investment of funds, attracting people to work. In general, this is our GDP, the well-being of our people," the head of the ministry noted.

Vladimir Zinovskiy visited OOO "Akoterm-flux," which is engaged in the production of ecological thermal and sound insulation materials based on flax fiber, regenerated cotton, polyester, and other harmless fibers. The minister also visited the Orsha Grain Processing Plant, where he met with the heads of organizations participating in the integrated structure created on the basis of the plant. The discussion was about the prospects for the development of the agro-holding and increasing production efficiency.

Alena Tikhonova - BELTA.