Opinions & Interviews

VITEBSK, 19 September (BelTA) – Mid-sized cities should be the centers of industry, education and culture, Head of the Belarus President Administration Natalya Kochanova said in Vitebsk on 19 September as she presented Vitaly Vovk as the new Aide to the President of Belarus – Inspector for Vitebsk Oblast, BelTA has learned.

Natalya Kochanova drew attention to the tasks facing local authorities all over the country. One of them is promoting mid-sized cities with the population of over 80,000. Vitebsk Oblast has three such cities – Polotsk, Novopolotsk and Orsha. “These cities should be the centers of manufacturing industry, culture and education and should serve as an example for all. One should approach this task earnestly, provide financing from the budget and earmark funds from local budgets,” she said.

Speaking about economy, Natalya Kochanova urged to streamline the operation of each company and organization. Each of them should have a clear cut development strategy. The tasks set last year on salaries, employment and prices remain relevant. “Everyone has to be involved in order to implement all these tasks,” Natalya Kochanova said.

Agriculture is another serious matter. “It is quite an issue in Vitebsk Oblast. I know that you are addressing it through establishing integration structures. At the same time, this should not be done indiscriminately. One should fix things up at every agricultural enterprise, because our people live and work there, and they should earn a decent salary and be able to address their housing issues,” Natalya Kochanova said.

By way of example she mentioned the Rodina collective farm in Belynichi District, Mogilev Oblast, she visited last week. The company left most positive impressions. “I was delighted. They do not have super-modern farms, but the enterprise works perfectly. They have created all the necessary conditions. 292 employees, including 90 young people, 50 are on maternity leave. These figures mean that people return to this place,” the Head of the Belarus President Administration noted.