The Chairman of the Orsha District Executive Committee, Igor Isachenko, spoke about the work done over the year and future plans.

A correspondent from "Vitebskiye Vesti" met with the Chairman of the Orsha District Executive Committee, Igor Isachenko, to learn firsthand about the work done to make the Orsha region a model district for the country, what needs to be done, and what concerns the local authorities most today.

– Igor Vladimirovich, let's start our conversation with the economy, as its real sector is the basis of any society, providing for all other spheres.

– Currently, over 62 thousand people are employed in the district's economy, including more than three thousand individual entrepreneurs. Over a thousand organisations of various ownership forms are operating. Foreign trade turnover and services export have increased. Enterprises and organisations of the district supply products to 50 countries worldwide, with export-import operations conducted with 60 states. Profitable operations are ensured both for the national economy complex as a whole and for all major types of economic activity. The number of loss-making organisations has decreased. Compared to 2018 levels, volumes of industrial products, agricultural production, trade turnover, investments in fixed capital, and construction and installation works have increased, measured by the physical volume index.

– In your opinion, how important is the introduction of new technologies and achievements of scientific and technical progress into the economy today?

– Scientific and technical progress and the potential of any region are the main drivers of the economy. Orsha enterprises are actively working on implementing the developments of Belarusian scientists into production and on carrying out a number of investment projects, more than half of which can be classified as innovative. For example, at the Orsha Tool Plant, this involves new cutting tools; at the "Legmash" plant, it is technological equipment for the oil and gas industry; and in the agro-industrial sector, it includes dairy complexes and equipment for preparing crop seeds.

Without non-standard projects and innovative approaches to work, it is impossible to fulfil the tasks set by the Head of State.

A pilot technological project "Smart City" and a model of the "Smart Road Control Centre" within the "Autodata" platform are planned for implementation in Orsha and Orsha District.

– The past year was challenging for agricultural workers. Nevertheless, Orsha region is the agricultural backbone of the Vitebsk region. How do you assess the work in this area?

– Yes, it was a challenging year for the agricultural sector. The weather was not favourable for the district's crop growers; however, production of both grain crops and rapeseed has seen a 1.2-fold increase.

The growth rate of gross agricultural output for January–November 2019 was 105.6%.

The established integration structure based at Orsha KhP (Grain Processing Plant) incorporated 11 district organisations facing financial difficulties this year. The 106 units of machinery acquired in 2019 allowed for the timely completion of all agricultural operations and laid a foundation for the sector's development – an optimal crop area structure has been formed, and autumn ploughing has been carried out.

The investment project for the extrusion of full-fat soybean at "Ekomol Agro" has been completed, and a workshop for the production of frozen vegetables and berries has been launched at the "Teplichny" (Greenhouse) branch.

In 2019, a dairy farm was commissioned in the village of Staiky. The financial results of agricultural organisations have improved – 13 million rubles of net profit were obtained compared to a net loss in 2018, revenue per employee increased 1.2-fold, and the number of loss-making organisations decreased.

– Much is being done to stimulate entrepreneurial activity. Could you elaborate on this?

– Small and medium-sized businesses play a significant role in the region's development. After all, they are a strategic resource and an internal source of economic growth. Currently, they account for 28% of budget revenues.

Over 4,000 business entities operate within the district. 50 new enterprises and production facilities have commenced operations, creating over 200 jobs.

Therefore, stimulating entrepreneurship has been one of our key objectives for recent years. It is noteworthy that in 2019, 79 economic entities benefited from льготы (benefits) and преференции (preferences) in connection with the application of Decree No. 506.

It should be noted that the Orsha District Executive Committee has a council for the development of entrepreneurship, two entrepreneurship support centres, and a small business incubator, which provide legal, accounting, and consulting services.

The practice of transferring unused real estate properties to private ownership for the implementation of investment projects and the creation of new jobs is actively used.

– How significant has Decree No. 506 been for the development of the social sphere?

– It can be confidently stated that the necessary conditions for obtaining quality education are being created in the district, and a good foundation has been laid for the development of healthcare, culture, and sports.

A resource centre for the machine-building sector has been established at the Orsha Mechanical and Economic College to train personnel for operating modern equipment and mastering new technologies. Currently, a resource centre is being created at the Orsha State Agrarian College for the study and diagnostics of modern agricultural machinery. In terms of culture, over 2.7 million rubles have been allocated to strengthen the material and technical base of its institutions. Work on developing tourism infrastructure continues. It should be noted that in 2019, the Orsha region was visited by over 11,000 guests from various countries. Given the district's great potential, new types of tourism, such as industrial and sports tourism, have emerged. Significant transformations have affected the healthcare sector. Last year, the export of medical services increased by 21%.

– The past two years have been marked by the Year of Small Motherland. How much has the region improved during this time? What are your plans for 2020?

– Undoubtedly, the district has been transformed. In 2019 alone, about 70 small landscape and architectural forms were created, and a park of family trees was planted. Not to mention the improvement of residential areas and the equipping of children's playgrounds. Memorial sites and historical and cultural objects are maintained in proper condition.

Street and road networks have been repaired, street greening is underway, and dilapidated houses are being demolished.

It should be noted that to improve the quality of life of the region's population, 10 iron removal water treatment stations were commissioned in 2019.

In industry, in 2020, the 3rd stage of modernization of the Orsha Flax Mill will continue, innovative projects will be implemented at the Legmash plant, modern metal-cutting and auxiliary tools will be produced at the Tool Plant, ring rolling production will be carried out at the PAK plant, a workshop for slaughtering and processing pork and cattle will be constructed at the Meat Canning Plant, and so on.

In agriculture, with the involvement of technologies from the Israeli company "Agrigo", the construction of a pig breeding complex for 5,000 sows near the village of Goryany will continue. We plan to complete the construction of the innovative dairy complexes "Kupalinka", "Ustye", and "Churilovo".

In the housing and communal services system, we will continue to build iron removal stations, replace heating networks, and carry out major repairs of residential buildings.

This year, we also plan to start implementing the roadmap of the "Smart City" program. A number of social sphere facilities will be reconstructed and renovated.

In other words, the implementation of the tasks set for 2020 in the real economy sectors and the social sphere will continue to work towards achieving our main goal – improving the standard and quality of life of the population through increased economic competitiveness, attracting investment, and innovative development.

Everything depends on us, our aspirations, desires, and correct decisions.

– What concerns the head of the district most today?

– What concerns our people concerns me the most. No appeal goes unnoticed – each one receives due attention. My main goal is to create conditions for a decent life for the residents of Orsha. There can be no trifles in these matters. I believe that the main priority of the local government should be the individual and their well-being.

— Undoubtedly, you cannot do everything alone. Who are your allies?

– First and foremost, it is a team of like-minded individuals that has been formed and with whom all tasks become solvable. We must also mention the enormous support from the leadership of the Vitebsk region and our country.