12 July, Minsk /BELTA/. All social sphere facilities must be completed in Belarus in 2011, with the main funds invested in fast-recouping projects. This task was set on 9 July by the President of the country, Alexander Lukashenko, during a working trip to the Vitebsk region, the press service of the Belarusian leader informed a BELTA correspondent.
The Head of State visited the Vitebsk Biopharma, where he familiarised himself with the organisation of production of modern veterinary drugs, their supply to domestic and foreign markets, as well as with modern equipment and the technological process of veterinary drug production.
Vitebsk Biopharma is the only enterprise in the biological industry in the republic that manufactures medicinal serums and bacterial vaccines for the needs of animal husbandry. From 1995 to 2010, the production of over 60 types of veterinary drugs was mastered. The products manufactured by the biopharma are intended for the detection, prevention and successful treatment of the most common bacterial and viral infections in animal husbandry.
In 2005, the reconstruction of the biopharma began with the aim of creating proper sanitary and hygienic conditions, reorganising technological processes at a modern level, and also most fully satisfying the needs of the republic's animal husbandry in biological preparations. To complete the reconstruction, technological re-equipment, landscaping of the territory, and development of new types of products (viral drugs), additional funding from the republican budget in the amount of Br4.5 billion is required.
As reported to the Head of State, the enterprise is actively engaged in import substitution of veterinary medicines. It is planned that by 2015, 80% of such bioproducts will be produced in the country. The National Academy of Sciences of Belarus has developed 18 antiviral drugs and 14 bacterial drugs, which have been transferred to the biopharma. In addition, 50 technologies for new drugs, also developed by Belarusian scientists, are being worked out here. Alexander Lukashenko believes that today Vitebsk Biopharma can fully cover the country's needs for its products, as well as export part of them abroad.
The President set the task of increasing export capabilities not only for this enterprise but for all Belarusian enterprises as a whole.
Today, the products of the Vitebsk Biopharmaceutical Plant are sold in Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. By 2015, it is planned to enter the markets of 12 countries. As reported to the Head of State, the demand for the enterprise's products is currently high.
Alexander Lukashenko believes that in such a situation, it is necessary to expand the production of veterinary drugs. "If there is a market, and the market is boundless, there is demand, there are opportunities, then why not increase production," the President noted. In his opinion, this is precisely what needs to be invested in.
During his visit to the enterprise, Alexander Lukashenko was generally interested in the development of industrial enterprises in the Vitebsk region, as well as the socio-economic indicators of the region and the progress of agricultural work.
As reported to the President by the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Kosinets, the issue of the concept for the development of industrial sectors is one of the main ones today. A program for the development of the industrial sector has been developed in the region, which provides for a reduction in the share of the fuel sector from 58% to 33% in the total industrial structure by 2015. This requires the modernisation and re-equipment of enterprises.
As for agriculture, according to the President, the Vitebsk region needs to find the most optimal direction. Currently, the efficiency indicators of agricultural activities are low. The Head of State believes that the Vitebsk region can achieve the same financial results from agriculture as the Grodno region. However, the region needs to determine its strategy.
The President was also presented with proposals from the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee for the construction, reconstruction, and repair of facilities in Vitebsk and changes to the city's master plan.
However, Alexander Lukashenko believes that the number of new buildings and non-essential facilities in the country needs to be reduced. According to him, large-scale projects were widely launched at one time, and a sufficient number of educational, medical, and other institutions have been commissioned to date. As the Head of State noted, next year only those facilities that are truly necessary will be built."We need to accelerate this year and, in the future, complete the construction of all social facilities," the President said. According to him, more funds will be invested in fast-paying projects. The funds that are freed up will be directed to the people. "These funds must be given to the people, they are not rich today," he added.
In the evening, Alexander Lukashenko took part in the grand opening ceremony of the XIX International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk". According to tradition, the head of state presented special awards and prizes to collectives, cultural and art figures. -0-
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