According to preliminary data, the volume of investments in the Vitebsk region's economy in 2025 amounted to 4.5 billion rubles, and the region does not intend to slow down the pace.

This was announced by Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee Anzhelika Nikitina at a meeting of the Regional Executive Committee, which reviewed the socio-economic development results of the Vitebsk region for the outgoing year and plans for 2026.

"The development plan for the Vitebsk region for 2026 is practically formed. It includes the main tasks and messages that were voiced by the head of state at the All-Belarusian People's Assembly," emphasized Anzhelika Nikitina. "We are focusing on intensifying investment activities. Next year, we plan to implement more than 300 projects in the real sector of the economy and the social sphere. The region's investment portfolio is fully formed."

The main breakthrough projects will be implemented in high-tech sectors – machine tool manufacturing, mechanical engineering, metallurgical production, instrument engineering, and pharmaceuticals. Some of them are already underway. There are significant prerequisites for the Vitebsk region to become a powerful pharmaceutical cluster in the future.

Special attention is paid to the instrument engineering industry. In addition to the industrial technopark created on the basis of Novopolotsk OJSC "Izmeritel", a similar structure may appear on the basis of OJSC "Vityaz".

The authorities are also focusing on traditional industries for the Vitebsk region – light and food industries. The modernization plan for the food industry of the Vitebsk region is awaiting implementation, the Orsha Flax Mill is being actively modernized, and it is gradually incorporating not only flax mills but also sewing enterprises of the region. Work is planned to update footwear production.

Anzhelika Nikitina, Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, named the development of the industrial sector as an important component among the tasks facing the regional authorities – working on import substitution and the creation of innovative products. Today, enterprises of the Vitebsk region produce more than 200 types of innovative products, but nevertheless, about 3000 types of products are still imported, so work needs to be done on this.

Much has been achieved in the past year in terms of key economic development indicators, which has also been reflected in the well-being of citizens.

– We have increased real wages by almost 10%, and consequently, replenished local budget revenues, which will subsequently be used for the development of the social sphere, – emphasized Anzhelika Nikitina.

The region is actively working in the area of foreign economic activity. Thus, services export has grown by 8%, positions in the Russian market are maintained, the geography of supplies to Asian countries is expanding, and to certain EAEU countries by more than 1.5 times.

– The Government has defined and established the parameters of the most important socio-economic development indicators for the Vitebsk region. A pool of 160 investment projects totaling over one and a half billion rubles has been formed. Plans for housing construction and modernization of agriculture in the regions have been determined. Nevertheless, not all issues have been fully resolved, – stated the rapporteur. – It is already necessary to actively engage in various mechanisms to protect our producers from external competitors and grey imports. To promptly implement new types of products in terms of import substitution and innovation, to pursue an aggressive policy of developing new sales markets, including using export support measures, to build systematic work on developing tourism potential, and to regain and multiply positions in the development of transport logistics. All this is within our capabilities. Only active teamwork will ensure the fulfillment of tasks and the achievement of set goals.