Miory Regional Executive Committee
The President's initiative "One district – one project" has become an effective tool for implementing the import substitution program and enhancing export potential overall. It also serves as one of the incentives for local authorities and enterprises, which increasingly propose new startup ideas of various scales aimed at the overall improvement of the economy of individual districts. Correspondents of "R" visited the border Dubrovna district and found out how investors are attracted here and what key areas are being prioritized.
Strategy: A Comprehensive Approach
Anatoly Lukashov, Chairman of the Dubrovna District Executive Committee, cites one of the most significant figures demonstrating the correctness of the economic tactics and strategy chosen by the district. As a result of last year, the volume of export shipments increased by 45.8 percent. Several enterprises rank among the leaders. JSC "Dubrovna Flax Plant" accounts for the lion's share of the overall export structure. A private company specializing in the processing of livestock products, along with other business entities, have also delivered solid results.
— We are always open to dialogue and discussion of any entrepreneurial initiatives, — notes the head of the district. — We are ready to assist in finding a production site, help with document preparation, staff selection and training, and resolving other tasks relevant to newcomers. The district is quite specific. Yes, we have a very advantageous geographical location, but this also has its drawbacks: proximity to major cities and excellent transport connectivity cause a certain outflow of personnel. Therefore, strengthening industrial potential alongside improving the social sphere is a top priority. As the President stated, if there are jobs, decent wages, and all necessary amenities for life, people will remain in rural areas. We are developing enterprises, constructing housing, and improving healthcare.
Last year, the average salary in the district grew by almost 20 percent. Investments totaling 41.4 million rubles were attracted into fixed capital: growth rate reached 129.4 percent against a target of 116. Investment activity in construction and installation works shows a plus of 60 percent.
It is noteworthy that the numberrepresentatives of private business. Currently, more than 80 small and medium-sized enterprises operate here, along with nearly 200 individual entrepreneurs. All of them make a significant contribution to forming the revenue portion of the district budget, accounting for about 30 percent of revenues.
The Initiative Is Welcome
Undoubtedly, private businesses in rural areas today have a green light for all their initiatives. At various stages of business development, they are provided with substantial state support.
— In the near-term perspective, we have already developed several important projects, — Deputy Chairman of the District Executive Committee for Economy Sergey Poluychyk shares the situation. — Currently, a Russian investor is beginning construction of a 60-bed hotel and four separate guest houses next to the M-1 highway — this is another step toward improving roadside service infrastructure. A Baltic entrepreneur, who previously engaged in wood processing and exported timber, has modernized his business. Due to the tightening of sanctions policy, he lost the opportunity to sell his goods to Europe, and therefore took up the development of an innovative technology in the construction industry — he will produce unique prefabricated panel house kits made of wood and a special composite material.
He already has prototype samples, and studies of domestic and foreign markets are underway. It is obvious: the product is in demand and will undoubtedly find buyers. In case of success, no fewer than 25 new jobs will be created.
The District Executive Committee notes that modern enterprises focused on innovative products are the strategic foundation for the future. Annually, the population of the district, where 13.4 thousand residents of Dubrovno live, decreases by approximately 300 people. Therefore, it is necessary, among other things, to attract young people to work in the district. Especially since all conditions for developing private initiative exist here: for the implementation of promising business projects, one can purchase four real estate objects of choice for the price of one basic unit — schools and kindergartens no longer in use in rural areas. Three land plots are also prepared for the construction of new enterprises. In addition, the district is also rich in deposits of high-quality gclay, which can be used for manufacturing high-quality ceramic tiles. Representatives from Dubrovna have already sent the relevant proposal to JSC “Keramink” and substantiated it: their raw material is no inferior to what was previously imported from Ukraine.
Startup concepts are certainly welcome. Actual implementation is even better. And today, Sergey Ivanovich invites us to examine the operations of a recently established enterprise. On the way to the former consumer cooperative store, now a sewing workshop producing tourist clothing and equipment, he shares an interesting account of finding an investor. It turns out that the interests of the private investor and the state aligned quite successfully in this instance. Although it occurred by chance.
Thanks to cottonized fiber, the Dubrovna flax processing plant has significantly increased its export shipments.
Representatives of a firm that maintains production facilities in several Belarusian cities and operates in the Russian market were passing near Dubrovno on business. For certain reasons, they had to detour around a traffic jam on the highway and turned into the district center. They took a liking to the cozy, quiet town. Consequently, the businessmen unexpectedly decided to visit the district employment service. They asked: how are things standing with seamstresses?
— Just the day before, we were discussing the rather complex situation in the labor market at the District Executive Committee. We reached the conclusion that it would be highly beneficial to establish a sewing production facility in Dubrovno. Therefore, at the time of the visit, we already had all the figures and calculations ready, — Sergey Poluychik explains. — In short, we quickly found common ground with the guests and proposed several options for locating the workshop. That is how the matter was resolved.
Export-Oriented
…A spacious and bright room, two rows of modern sewing machines, smiling young women.
— We have been working for about two months, and the staff is not yet complete, — master Anna Kalinina explains. — Previously, my friend Tatyana Panulina and I used to commute eight kilometers from home to work, but now it is convenient: everything is nearby. Of course, the responsibility is higher, but the work is more interesting as well.
The seamstresses are experienced and easily master the production of new items such as life jackets for adults and children, backpacks, and tourist suits—all of which are exported to the Russian Federation. Judging by the stock of idle machines, at least ten more people will be hired here soon.
— The number of jobs will also increase after the implementation of the second stage of the investment project under the “One District – One Project” initiative at JSC “Dubrovensky Linen Plant,” — Sergey Ivanovich recounts. — Although the first stage, the installation of the cottonization line, has already demonstrated the timeliness of the decision made.
Linen plant director Anatoly Bosenkov confirms this with figures:
— What has the new line brought? An additional 15 staff members, deeper and highly profitable processing of flax for us. Previously, low-grade fiber was sold cheaply, but now the cottonized fiber produced from it is successfully shipped for export and accounts for about 50 percent of the factory’s total revenue. Last year, we produced and sold over 500 tons of this fiber, which closely resembles cotton in its qualities. The project was included in the regional investment program and required a total of 2.2 million rubles. About half of this amount consists of budget funds. The equipment was purchased in China.
Meanwhile, the technological line for producing flaxseed oil is financed from the enterprise’s own funds. Soon, the linen processors will begin installing and mounting the equipment, with commissioning scheduled for autumn—just in time for the new harvest. And the target is again export. It turns out that technical flax oil, which the workers in Dubrova will produce almost entirely from waste, is in high demand in the petrochemical industry. Manufacturers of various paints, impregnations, and varnishes readily use it, and they label tsuch products with "eco" labels — as natural and harmless to humans.
Additionally, at present, JSC "Dubrovsky Flax Plant" exports its products to ten countries around the world. Now, as its product range becomes even higher in quality and more diverse, there is an opportunity to develop new routes.