Comprehensive development plans for Polotsk district and Novopolotsk were discussed at the Vitebsk regional executive committee
This was discussed at a meeting of the regional executive committee when considering comprehensive plans for the accelerated development of Polotsk District and Novopolotsk until 2020. The topic of differentiated territorial development has emerged relatively recently but requires close attention and effective solutions from the entire power vertical. The need for a systematic regional policy was once again emphasized by the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, when considering the prospects of Baranovichi District on March 22, instructing to develop measures for the accelerated development of 11 cities and districts with a population of over 80,000 people. This list, along with Orsha District, also includes Polotsk District and Novopolotsk. In the government, Deputy Prime Minister Igor Lyashenko is responsible for the Vitebsk territories.
Methodological support for project work
was carried out by the Ministry of Economy. According to First Deputy Minister of Economy Alexander Chervyakov, comprehensive plans for accelerated development, which clearly outline the problems of concern to the population and ways to solve them, should become a roadmap for managers of various levels.
The economy of the region and the country as a whole is formed by the well-being of individual districts, noted the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee Nikolai Chernev. This explains his demand for a more in-depth elaboration of documents, taking into account the remarks made during the discussion. The design of accelerated territorial development implies the search for non-standard solutions, the generation of original ideas and breakthrough projects that can affect the well-being of residents of all regions of the Vitebsk region.
— Each plan should provide a clear understanding of the key problems of the population and measures for their solution, pointsof socio-economic growth, financial support for measures, expected results, including reflecting the desired future development of the territories in the coming years, — emphasized the chairman of the regional executive committee.
POLOTSK: INDUSTRIAL UPLIFT ON A HISTORICAL FOUNDATION
To accelerate development, the Polotsk district intends to more effectively use the existing advantages of an industrial region and a historical and cultural center with a developed tourism industry. This is the focus of most measures in the comprehensive plan, designed to ensure a new quality of technological and production capabilities and, as a consequence, an increase in the level of citizens' well-being.
As noted by the Chairman of the District Executive Committee, Nikolay Shevchuk, the competitive advantages include the presence of large industrial enterprises, prepared sites for new production facilities, including under the terms of the FEZ "Vitebsk", and high investment activity in the region. In addition, the composite cluster created on the basis of OJSC "Polotsk-Steklovolokno" is an important factor in attracting investors who will bring new technologies and modern business management models, thereby stimulating the accelerated development of the Polotsk region.
Nikolay Shevchuk specifically highlighted the high tourist potential of the district, which is formed by a large number of historical and cultural sites, diverse tourist routes, and animation programs.
"The comprehensive plan includes 254 measures for the priority areas of the region's economic development, namely: modernization, increasing the utilization of industrial, agricultural, and tourism potential, boosting exports, and activating entrepreneurial initiative," reported the Chairman of the District Executive Committee. It is planned to allocate almost 340 million rubles for their implementation.
The more dynamic development of the region will be facilitated, in particular, by the implementation of almost a hundred key investment projects. These include the comprehensive modernization of JSC "Polotsk-Steklovolokno", the introduction of welded grating production technology at the technological metal structures plant, the renovation of the dairy plant, the reconstruction of former healthcare facilities in the protected zone for the placement of a cadet school, and the construction and modernization of dairy farms. To unlock the business potential of the region, the infrastructure for supporting entrepreneurship will be improved.
By the way, small and medium-sized businesses form about 50% of the revenue part of the district budget and 40% of the revenue from the sale of products, works, and services. But this is not the limit. The Chairperson of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee's Economy Committee, Anzhelika Nikitina, pointed out the negative dynamics in the number of entrepreneurial entities in the region and also urged all chairpersons of district executive committees to pay attention to the effectiveness of the non-state sector of the economy, which is a reserve for increasing the sustainability of regional development.
NOVOPOLOTSK: NEW FACETS OF AN INDUSTRIAL GIANT
The main resources for the accelerated development of the oil city are related to the modernization and improvement of petrochemical production. As noted by the Chairman of the Novopolotsk City Executive Committee, Dmitry Demidov, the strategic task in industry is to create conditions in the city for the establishment of productions and enterprises specializing in the output of high-tech chemical products oriented towards foreign markets.
Hence the possible growth points: along with the further development of the city-forming giant, these include attracting major investors and implementing investment projects in priority areas. Dmitry Demidov also included the development of human resources, the creation of conditions for retaining young specialists in the city, as well as attracting them from other regions, and stimulating business and private entrepreneurial activity through economic instruments such as the preferential regime of the FEZ "Vitebsk", the petrochemical cluster, and the use of financial resources from innovation funds and international technical assistance projects.
The head of the oil city highlighted the following key projects for 2020: the creation of polymer-modified bitumen production (OOO "Avestra Bituminous Materials"), the organization of small-tonnage chemistry production, including engineering and transport infrastructure facilities, at the site of the protein-vitamin concentrate plant, the construction of a children's technopark on the basis of the Palace of Children and Youth, a kindergarten in the 9th microdistrict, a solid waste landfill, treatment facilities and a sewerage system in Borovukha.
— The development of infrastructure in Borovukha will enable the construction of about 400 cottage-type houses, which is a significant factor in improving the comfort of living and, moreover, will load our construction industry, — added Dmitry Demidov. At the same time, issues of reducing dependence on petrochemical production, improving the environmental situation, and developing transport links remain relevant for the city. All this is also reflected in the daily agenda of local managers.
SERGEY ANTONOV, "Vitebskiye vesti".