How the economy of the Vitebsk region performed in 2024 and the tasks for 2025, Angelika Nikitina said.
According to the results of 2024, the economy of the Vitebsk region is working dynamically, with growth ensured in almost all major sectors: agriculture, manufacturing, retail turnover, public catering, construction. This was reported to the correspondent of "VV" by the Deputy Chairperson of the Regional Executive Committee Anzhelika Nikitina.
– The budget filling plan has been exceeded, and the population's income is growing, which once again confirms the growth of the economy of Vitebsk region, – emphasized the Deputy Chairperson. – We managed to reduce the gap compared to other regions and Minsk in terms of average monthly salary and the number of people employed in the economy.
The investment potential of the region is strengthening. In the past year, our efforts were directed towards increasing investments in the real sector of the economy – up to 3.8 billion rubles, modernization of existing and creation of new productions, development of small and medium-sized businesses. For 2025, we set tasks to increase investment volumes to 4.5 billion rubles, implement projects aimed at creating high-tech productions and further modernization of the public sector, and develop business in the regions. The drivers remain industry, agriculture, tourism, and logistics. There are Chinese, Turkish, Czech, and Iranian investors in Vitebsk region. We would like domestic investors – our compatriots – to come to the regions more actively and develop their business in their homeland.
Since the beginning of the five-year plan, 160 new production enterprises have been opened in the Vitebsk region, creating 2400 jobs. As part of the initiative of the program "One District – One Project," 13 projects have been implemented, including such as the organization of a poultry meat cutting and packaging workshop in Shumilino (LLC "Vitkonprodukt"), construction materials – in Lepel district (LLC "CSK"), perfumery products – in Dokshitsy district (LLC "Cosmoinvest"), construction of factories for the production of innovative equipment in Vitebsk (UP "Vitstroytekhmash"), for the production of oils, lubricants, and special liquids – in Glubokoe (LLC "SKANLINK"), creation of a garment production – in Dokshitsy district (LLC "Dokshitskaya Sewing Manufactory"). In 2025, we plan to complete another 15 projects.
According to Anzhelika Nikitina, the structure of industry in our region is well-established, and all its main sectors are developing.
The food industry is the backbone, which in 2024 shows growth, and its further development will be aimed at increasing the output of deep-processed products with high added value.
Our light industry products are in demand among Belarusian and foreign buyers, forming a quarter of the national volume in this sector. The stores "Da domu," "Belarusian linen," "Vitebsk carpets" have long become brands not only of the Vitebsk region but also of the Republic of Belarus.
The metallurgical sector, machine tool, and machine engineering are promising. Under the Agreement between the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation, 3 integration investment projects are being implemented using Russian financial credit: at the enterprises "VISTAN" and "Krasny Boryets" – integration projects "Union Machine"; in Orsha on the premises of the "Pak" plant – a project for organizing ring-rolling production.
Plans include a number of projects in woodworking and instrument engineering.
– We are betting on the high-tech development of pharmaceuticals. Considering the modern competencies of Vitebsk region – pharmaceutical clusters, training of biotechnology specialists by the region's universities, specialists in IT medicine, a new plant at "Belvitunifarm," implementation of the "Industry 4.0" concept project at "Belkarolina," new projects "VIK – animal health," – emphasized the Deputy Chairperson.
The Vitebsk region actively cooperates with the Russian Federation. At the level of the regional executive committee, about 30 agreements have been concluded with Russian regions, more than 160 – between the regions of Vitebsk and Russia. Industrial enterprises work in close cooperation.
For example, "Polymerconstruction" installs iron removal stations in 30 regions of Russia.
Cooperation has been established in education and cross-border tourism. Thus, a tourist route Minsk – Brest through Smolensk and Vitebsk is being developed.
Cooperation has been established with Iran, Iraq, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman. Also, promising directions for the northern region of Belarus include Egypt, Libya, and African countries.
– The products of the food and light industries, as well as machine tool and machine engineering and pharmaceuticals, are in special demand among foreign partners, – explained Anzhelika Nikitina.
By the way, Anzhelika Nikitina's favorite products are "Mi-Shu" curds from the Polotsk dairy plant, confectionery products from "Vityb," and new products from the "Vitebsk Broiler Poultry Factory."
– I always buy Vitebsk "Borodinsky" bread, dairy products, Glubokoe condensed milk, – noted the Deputy Chairperson. – I wear shoes and clothes from our Vitebsk enterprises: "Marko," "Belvesta," Vitebsk fur factory. In my opinion, the products of all Vitebsk enterprises are of high quality. Those who try them once will become regular customers and connoisseurs of their quality. I am sure, for example, that branded products from the Orsha flax factory, from kitchen towels to bed linen, are in every home.
The holders of the "Quality Mark" in 2024 were OJSC "Vityaz," "Orsha Flax Factory," "Vitebskkhlebprom."