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Growth points for Vitebsk Oblast industrial sector outlined
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VITEBSK, 15 July (BelTA) – Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko outlined the growth points for the industrial sector of Vitebsk Oblast as he met with top officials and executives of the region on 15 July, BelTA has learned.
According to the head of state, the industrial sector of Vitebsk Oblast still heavily relies on the terms of delivery of Russian crude oil and the sale of products made of it, and also on the energy policy.
“It is clear that without new growth points it is impossible to solve economic problems today. Among the promising areas are the further development of the petrochemical and light industries, the production of composite materials. Machine-tool building in Vitebsk Oblast needs to be developed in close cooperation with the country's largest companies,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The president also noted that the country will not be able to expand endlessly the free economic zones because the state receive few tax revenues from FEZ enterprises. “The period when we needed to create jobs no matter what is over. We still need jobs. We need enterprises that can work and manufacture goods on an equal footing with others,” the head of state said.
According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, many companies in the region have recently implemented upgrade projects. This has not only been done in the petrochemical sector. Orsha Linen Mill has been renovated as well. “I have repeated many times that Belarus will continue producing flax. It is our national asset, part of the country's image and culture, the most promising export segment of the light industry. It is eco-friendly, beautiful. It will always be in demand, especially if we do our best to promote and market it. So far, we are not doing enough in the sector. We need to learn not only to sell the product but also to sell it at a good price,” the president said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko named Marko Holding Company an example of successful cooperation between the state and private business. The recent modernization will enable the company to produce up to 5 million pairs of footwear a year.
“Vityas has started producing charging equipment for electric vehicles. This is not enough, however. I am closely watching the development of this enterprise,” the Belarusian leader said.
In addition, phased commissioning of one of the country's largest logistics centers has begun in Orsha District. The implementation of landmark investment projects in the field of alternative energy has been completed. The Vitebsk and Polotsk hydroelectric power plants, the most powerful in the country, have been put into operation. A number of other projects important for the economy of both Vitebsk Oblast and the country as a whole, have also been implemented.
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