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Lukashenko stresses importance of preserving small enterprises in district capitals

GOMEL, 22 December (BelTA) – It is necessary to create and preserve small manufacturing enterprises in district capitals in order to provide jobs to local residents. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement as he met with Gomel Oblast senior officials on 22 December, BelTA has learned.

Aleksandr Lukashenko explained the matter had been raised during his meeting with the cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky’s family the day before. Oleg Novitsky’s family comes from Cherven District. There were a number of small manufacturing enterprises in the district during the Soviet period. They made various things.

This is why the head of state noted that many district capitals were spruced up in the last few years but these efforts partially overshadowed the creation of jobs. “Having a job is what matters to people. They need some manufacturing enterprise,” he said.

The president said he was talking specifically about small enterprises, for instance, enterprises with 100-120 jobs. “They have to be tied to this district capital. If we remove such fundamental enterprises from the district capitals, there will be no jobs, people will start leaving,” he said. “We need enterprises in order to evenly distribute productive forces.”

As an option Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that Gomel Oblast has rich forest resources and the demand for timber and wooden goods is huge. Promising timber industry enterprises may be set up in small towns among other things.

The head of state noted that not all the district capitals have this problem with workforce shortage but there is a handful of district capitals like that in every oblast. “We have to keep it in mind,” he said.

“It is necessary to rely on local raw materials. Let alone district agricultural service enterprises. It is impossible to operate without them. They have to be restored in every district. Then there are local construction enterprises. Every district should have one. There are also road construction enterprises and amelioration enterprises in some places. These enterprises should be available to provide aid and support to people,” the Belarusian leader stressed.

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