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Belarusian government urged to pay more attention to Gomel Oblast

GOMEL, 22 December (BelTA) – The government needs to pay more serious attention to the state of affairs in Gomel Oblast, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with senior officials of Gomel Oblast, BelTA has learned.

"The region is not getting the attention it deserves. First of all, this applies to the government," Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.

First of all, according to the president, the government should facilitate, in every possible way, the completion of major investment projects and bringing them to the design capacity. This is a complex for hydrocracking heavy oil residues at the Mozyr oil refinery, and the industrial development of the Petrikov potassium salt deposit.

The head of state also urged to respond quickly to any drawbacks in the implementation of paper production projects at Svetlogorsk Pulp and Board Mill and the Dobrush Paper Mill. Aleksandr Lukashenko recalled the plans to create additional production facilities there. Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Nazarov, who is also president’s authorized representative in Gomel Oblast, reported that Minsk and Grodno have already run trial production to make packaging from cardboard made in Dobrush. It will be used to replace imports from Poland.

"We need to focus on higher added value. But do not neglect the small companies that make in-demand products. In retail we should make sure that corner stores remain in place. There should be competition, an alternative to large retail networks that may overtake everything when unattended," the head of state emphasized.

He also recalled that major state support was provided to Belarusian Steel Mill BMZ. Yuri Nazarov reported that BMZ has already formed an order intake for 2022 and looks set for the future.

“We need to help Gomel Oblast develop. First of all, we need to make everyone work. When people work, there are results,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

Speaking about the transport and logistics potential of the region, the president said that the advantageous cross-border position of the region at the intersection of transport routes should be used to the full.

“Do not forget about the Chernobyl territories. This is our land, and we need to develop it. We will definitely do it, carefully and slowly,” said the head of state.

According to him, the administrative resource looks especially weak in the agricultural sector. For example, there are still vacancies in 24 out of 192 agricultural organizations. Aleksandr Lukashenko instructed to find a solution to this problem.

The president added that the new governor of Gomel Oblast Ivan Krupko is well aware of the problems. Aleksandr Lukashenko described Ivan Krupko as an experienced person who knows well the specifics of the agro-industrial complex and is able to make verified management decisions and see the prospects.

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