Miory Regional Executive Committee

Enterprises of the Vitebsk Region in the current year produced import-substitution products worth USD 784.2 million and shipped innovative products worth nearly 6 billion rubles. These and other figures regarding the fulfillment of the main parameters of the socio-economic development of the region were reported at a session of the Regional Council of Deputies, where the issue of the implementation of the main parameters of the socio-economic development forecast for the region in 2023 and forecast indicators for 2024 was considered.

Despite the difficulties

The Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Subbotin, noted that 2023 was a challenging year for the Vitebsk Region due to sanction pressures and severe drought conditions not encountered in several decades. Nevertheless, the region's economic complex successfully overcame these difficulties, identifying viable pathways forward under adverse circumstances. Since April, the regional economy has demonstrated positive dynamics. All sectors achieved recovery growth. Over the first 11 months, the gross regional product increased by 2.4% compared to the previous year.

The head of the region emphasized that next year requires more intensive and high-quality work, citing relevant figures. This year, regional enterprises generated revenue amounting to 30 billion rubles. Budget revenues exceeded those of 2022 by 400 million rubles. Compared to January, 42 enterprises have transitioned to break-even operations, and the number of chronically underperforming enterprises has decreased by 20%.

The head of the region highlighted positive developments and set a clear objective: to sustain the current growth trajectory next year, with personnel management taking center stage.

Compared to the corresponding period last year, the Vitebsk Region achieved higher growth rates in gross regional product, industrial production, retail and wholesale trade turnover, public catering turnover, construction and installation works, passenger and freight turnover, and investment in fixed capital. Performance targets were met for total revenue inflows to the consolidated budget (122%), with all regions contributing to this result; and for average wages – 117.3%. With regard to this indicator, 16 districts met their targets, while the Glubokoye, Dokshitsy. Lyozno, Polotsk, Rasosna, Ushachy, Chashniki districts fell short. Positive dynamics relative to last year's level have been ensured for gross regional product and investment in fixed capital.

In terms of industry, it generates over 66% of the region's revenue. Industrial production volume amounted to 18,929.8 million rubles, with the industrial production index at 103.2% compared to the same period. In physical terms, output increased for televisions, special-purpose vehicles, metalworking machine tools, prefabricated metal structures, concrete, footwear, fabrics, knitwear, whole milk products, fruit, vegetable and fish canned goods, and others. Growth in industrial production volumes was driven by 13 districts and cities, including Vitebsk, Glubokoye, Gorodok, Dokshitsy, Lepel, Vitebsk, Novopolotsk, and others.

The industrial complex operated without losses, with net profit amounting to 256 million rubles and sales profitability at 6.6%. Regional organizations shipped innovative products worth nearly 6 billion rubles, or 36.4% of the shipment volume recorded a year earlier.

At JSC "Orshaagroprommash", production has been launched for cutting beams, reducer beams, and reducers of five models. SLOO "Manuli Hydraulic Manufacturing Bel" has developed 16 new high-pressure hoses, the Orsha Meat Processing Plant has introduced 9 new product types (canned meat and cooked sausage products for children's nutrition, lard-based products, etc.), and the Glubokoye Meat Processing Plant has launched 38 new product types.

Industrial enterprises of the Vitebsk Region allocated 730 million rubles to fixed capital, accounting for approximately 30% of the total investment volume in the regional economy, with over half of these funds directed toward the purchase of machinery and equipment.

Expanding Geography of Sales Markets

In the current year, industrial enterprises are implementing approximately 200 projects and initiatives related to technical retooling and modernization, as well as the establishment of new production facilities. Active efforts are being made to develop new categories of import-substitution products for both the domestic market and through cooperation with Russian companies. This process involves 76 enterprises across the Vitebsk Region, which manufacture over 170 product types.

Enterprises of Priddvinne supply goods to 71 countries and 77 regions of the Russian Federation, exporting over 1,500 product types, nearly a third of which are innovative.

In 2024, the region plans to increase exports of goods by 6–7% and supply goods, works, and services to foreign markets valued at up to 6 billion U.S. dollars.

The target for 2024 is to increase the output of import-substitution products by 5.6% compared to the current year. In 2023 alone, 43 new industrial enterprises and production facilities were established. These include garment manufacturing in the Miory district, wooden packaging production in the Gorodok district, milk processing and cheese production in the Senno district, metal product processing in the Chashniki district, and others.

In the food industry, the key driver of development will be increased utilization of production capacities, achieved through the expansion of raw material zones and higher volumes of raw materials supplied for industrial processing, alongside the saturation of the consumer market with meat and dairy products and other food commodities.

Investment Program

The implementation of measures for technical re-equipment and modernization of production facilities by enterprises of the Vitebsk concern "Meat and Dairy Products" will continue. For the forecast period, technical modernization of the canning workshop, reconstruction of industrial wastewater treatment facilities at JSC "Glubokiy MKK", conversion of the workshop for producing technical fabricates into a meat canned goods workshop at the Glubokye Meat Processing Plant, and establishment of a new production line (sour cream) at the Verkhnedvinsk Cheese and Butter Factory are planned.

Within the light industry sector, the Orsha Flax Mill will continue its efforts toward localized modernization of production units, while "Vitebskie Kovry" will implement an investment project for establishing the production of base fabric.

Footwear enterprises within the holding company of the Belarusian Leather and Footwear Concern "Marko", JSC "Krasny Oktyabr", and SLLC "Belvest" will continue automating production processes, replacing outdated equipment with new, high-tech machinery.

The industrial production index for the light industry sector is projected to reach at least 105 percent by 2023.

In 2024, the implementation of an investment project for the construction of a fish processing facility within the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) "Vitebsk" will commence, creating employment opportunities for over 300 individuals. An investment volume of 80 million rubles is planned to be directed into the economy of the regional center.

Social targets

Significant attention will be devoted to the construction of social infrastructure facilities, with over 460 million rubles allocated for these projects.

Construction of a new polyclinic will begin in the “Aeroport” microdistrict in Polotsk, reconstruction of the regional clinical hospital and the second building of the regional clinical infectious disease hospital will continue. The construction of family-type children’s homes is planned in Vitebsk and Postavy, and the construction of preschool education institutions will continue in Lepel, Novopolotsk, Vitebsk, and Orsha. Updating the fleet of ambulance and medical vehicles is planned, along with the procurement of medical equipment, installation and commissioning of angiographic complexes, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scanners. Growth in non-budgetary revenues of state healthcare organizations is planned at no less than 103% compared to 2023, paid medical services – 105%, export of medical services – 105%.

In the field of education, target indicators of the State Program “Education and Youth Policy” for 2021–2025 and requirements of state social standards are being fulfilled. Only in the current year, 947.9 million rubles have been allocated for the implementation of program activities.

As for the political aspect, life here will also be busy, Alexander Subbotin emphasized. For the first time, a Unified Voting Day will be held. Very tight deadlines are allocated for the electoral campaign and the elections to the National Assembly. The head of the region believes that it is necessary to intensify explanatory work among citizens, to demonstrate that we are following the correct path, and that literally each of us is taking part in the country’s destiny.

In Figures and Facts

• Achieve a gross regional product growth rate of 103.8% compared to the 2023 level.

• Direct 3.7 billion rubles of investments into the regional economy (104.4% compared to 2023).

• Total revenue is set at 4.5 billion rubles. Own revenues are forecast at 2.7 billion rubles, representing a 10.2% increase compared to the current year.

• The region plans to construct 309 thousand square meters of housing. The growth rate of construction and installation works will remain at the level of 107.1%.

• Maintain the unemployment rate within 4%.

Source: vitebsk-region.gov.by