2 December, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA/. Increasing labour efficiency is the most important task for the construction industry. This viewpoint was expressed by the Minister of Architecture and Construction of Belarus, Anatoly Nichkasov, in response to a question from a BELTA correspondent, during his visit to the construction of new workshops at Vitebskdrev OJSC. In the minister's opinion, the issue of personnel in the construction industry is overemphasised, and it is more relevant now to focus on labour productivity. "We need to increase the efficiency of everyone's work in the construction industry, whether they are builders, designers or heads of organisations. We must properly manage the available personnel," Anatoly Nichkasov is convinced. This requires clear organisation of work in both design and construction. "We should not start construction sites without a project. Unfortunately, this is practised and is called parallel construction and design. Only with complete clarity on the economic efficiency of the project, with proper design, completed logistical work with prepared materials and structures, can we demonstrate high construction speed," he stated. Belarusian builders have repeatedly demonstrated high efficiency in their activities. The Belarusian Metallurgical Plant was built in the shortest possible time, the roof of the Summer Amphitheatre in Vitebsk (a unique arched structure for Europe) was erected in just 9 months over the auditorium, and the summer venue itself was reconstructed. "Belarusian designers and builders are capable of fulfilling all the tasks set before them for the modernisation of all sectors of the economy," believes Anatoly Nichkasov. By 2015, efficiency per employee in the construction industry should increase fivefold, reaching about $60,000 per year. "Then there will be wages and profits for enterprises, and partners will talk to us differently," the minister added. -0-

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