Nikolai Sherstnev held a press conference for journalists

On the eve of the professional holidays of print and electronic media, the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Nikolai Sherstnev, held a large press conference, during which he answered questions from journalists of regional and republican publications.

During the meeting, various topics related to the development of the region, economy, social life, upbringing of the younger generation, and sports were touched upon.

Determine Priorities

One of the important issues that the head of the region focused on was the priority areas for the region's development. Journalists were interested in how Vitebsk region could make a significant leap forward.

– The Vitebsk region has certain resources: land, forests, water, peat, sand. We need to invest efforts where we can realistically get a return. Agriculture has halved its production compared to the 1990s. We need to make up for lost ground and increase capacity. The loading of meat and dairy processing enterprises depends on this. If profitability increases, there will be profit, which will go towards solving social problems and improving people's lives. Without creating new conditions for farming, we will not be able to achieve this, – Nikolai Sherstnev is convinced.

The head of the region noted that by working in modern production facilities and living in well-maintained houses, people will not want to leave rural areas. The problem with personnel will be solved. It is planned to build 10 farms in Vitebsk region, each with 2,000 dairy cows.

– Here we will gather all the best that exists in Belarus and in the world. The milk yield will be 25 liters per cow per day, which is 500 tons of milk – a third of what the entire region produces in winter, – Nikolai Nikolaevich shared his plans.

Effective Management

In the share of industry, half falls to "Naftan". Today, the agenda is to move away from dependence on republican enterprises and develop our own production facilities.

To this end, a state association of local industry enterprises has been established in the region. This decision is aimed at effective management of state property and control over the operation of enterprises.

– In recent years, industry has proven to be less manageable compared to agriculture. We have been involved with the villages at various levels, seeking ways to help unprofitable farms, provide them with fuel and fertilizers, and repair equipment. In industry, there is no body that makes any decisions. They brought "KIM" to its knees and eventually closed the enterprise. Although it is state property, the people are ours. Or another example: workwear is being sewn in several districts at once, but it cannot be sold – there is an oversupply in the market.

How "Keramika" and the Obolsky plant, which produce the same type of brick, cannot agree on prices. Sometimes a decision on enterprise modernization is made solely based on the words of its head. Funds are invested, loans are taken, but the director resigns, and it turns out that the money was wasted, – the head of the region shared his concerns.

The association of local industry will improve the manageability of this sector, define priorities, and coordinate actions. In the future, the trade department, which will be responsible for product sales and contract conclusion, may also be included in this structure.

Answering the question of what is lacking for a more effective economy: financial instruments, technologies, intellectual resources, or management skills, Nikolai Sherstnev cited farms in equal conditions as an example. One has good performance, people receive decent wages, while in the other, accounts are frozen, and yields are low.

– As trite as it may sound, personnel are the key. Recently, I visited the "Lavrinovka" farm in the Orsha district. In this agricultural enterprise, one employee produces products worth 800 million undenominated rubles. This is much more than at some state-owned enterprises, where this indicator sometimes reaches 60 million.

A year and a half to two years ago, there was a question about closing the dairy and meat processing plants in Orsha, the grain processing plant was heavily indebted, but today these enterprises are operating. And this is largely due to the leaders who had to make responsible decisions, – emphasized Nikolai Sherstnev.

Conditions for Business

The topic of relations between government and business was not left aside either. As Nikolai Sherstnev explained, they have been formed in recent years, but unfortunately, conditions for the development of private entrepreneurship have not been created. It takes a lot of time to launch an investment project. In developed countries, business accounts for up to 70% of budget formation. For us, it's still 20%, and this is already a significant figure. There are plenty of problems in this area, as the head of the region noted.

– A young person who decides to start their own business needs start-up capital. Where can they get it? They have neither an apartment nor a car, but they have a good idea. We have proposed an experiment in the Orsha district – to provide loans based on a business plan, with the future enterprise itself serving as collateral. Let's see what happens. We need to encourage initiative people to go into business, – believes Nikolai Sherstnev.

The Future Lies in Integration

The head of the region paid special attention to integration structures being created in the Vitebsk region. This year, it is necessary to unite enterprises within integrated systems into a single whole. For now, they exist separately, each is a legal entity, has its own bank account, etc.

– The goal of this association is to produce a product that is cheap for the buyer and competitive in the foreign market. Look at what is happening. An agricultural enterprise supplies grain to a grain processing plant at a certain price, and it returns to the farm in the form of mixed feeds, having become several times more expensive. Concentrates account for 70% of pork and poultry production. By the time the product reaches the consumer, it will have passed through many structures that want to make a profit. At the same time, neither the farm gets rich, nor the processing enterprise is wealthy, nor is trade thriving. And the money has dissolved, – explained Nikolai Sherstnev.

In an integration structure, profits will not be included at intermediate stages. The management apparatus will be reduced. It is also important that the association will allow for the centralization of capital.

– This year, we have acquired more than 500 units of the latest equipment for integration structures. It is necessary to create the most modern material and technical base to achieve the maximum economic effect, – emphasized Nikolai Nikolaevich and noted significant progress in this direction.

Belarus – Russia

Journalists were also interested in relations with the eastern neighbor, in particular, the results of the visits of the chairman of the regional executive committee to Russian regions.

– To understand each other, we must meet and talk. It is no secret that when personal, friendly relationships are formed, it is easier to build the economy of two regions. The focus should be on creating joint ventures. Everyone knows about the periodically arising problems in the dairy and meat market. If we had built the economy of joint Belarusian-Russian production, raw material zones, and farms, there would be no meat and dairy wars. This is a guarantee of work for both sides. And in the future, we can talk about common prices for gas, energy carriers, and the like, – explained Nikolai Sherstnev.

The head of the region spoke about his trip to the Astrakhan region. A milk processing plant was built there, but it cannot be launched due to a lack of raw materials. During the conversation with the region's leadership, it was decided to involve our specialists to consider how to establish joint production. The Vitebsk region will supply raw materials, which will be processed and sold there. Issues of mutually beneficial cooperation are also being worked out with the Volgograd, Bryansk, and other regions.

We also need to think about how to sell goods in another country without intermediaries, who increase their cost. Comparing prices in the Russian market with the selling prices of our enterprises, we see a significant difference that ends up in the pockets of intermediary firms. It is not easy to enter an already established market. Meetings of regional leaders help to solve these issues as well, the head of the region concluded.

On Employment, Local Lore, and Sports

The questions asked by journalists during the meeting with Nikolai Sherstnev concerned appeals to the "direct line" of the head of the region, solving the problems of population employment, the level of school and university education, and the attitude towards sports. Nikolai Nikolaevich gave comprehensive answers to all of them.

In particular, he said that he always keeps track of the complaints of the residents of the Vitebsk region who have sought his help. Unfortunately, many of the problems could have been resolved at the primary level, but due to the negligence and inaction of some managers, people have to appeal to the regional executive committee.

The head of the region called the issue of population employment one of the cornerstones. Due to the unstable operation of enterprises, there has been some tension in the labor market. Tasks to minimize it have been set. The process of retraining unprofitable production facilities is actively underway. Simultaneously, new ones are being organized. It is very important to retain qualified personnel and create new jobs.

The Head of the region believes that the level of education needs to be improved. Primarily higher education. Many graduates, upon entering production, feel helpless and lack practical skills. Young specialists should be sent to strong farms to learn how to work properly, and only then be entrusted with more complex tasks. Nikolai Sherstnev supported the proposal to introduce a local history course into the school curriculum. Children should know their history.

The more than two-hour conversation concluded with a sports topic. The Head of the region believes that more sports clubs should be opened, outdoor exercise equipment should be installed in courtyards, and funds should be invested in the development of promising Olympic sports. He himself always finds time for training. He is passionate about kettlebell lifting, where he achieves good results. To defend the honor of Vitebsk region, he took up skiing again after years and led the team of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee to victory. Sport helps maintain physical fitness, which is so necessary for a leader.

Tatyana Pasternak, "Vitebskiye Vesti".