On September 21, Vitebsk /Diana Kurilo - BELTA/. Labour productivity in the Vitebsk region outpaces wage growth by 17%, as reported today at the ceremony for seeing off the Vitebsk region delegation to the republican festival-fair of agricultural workers "Dazhynki-2012" by the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Aleksandr Kosinets, BELTA correspondent reports. Approximately 49% of the region's enterprises' funds are directed towards modernising production. According to the results of January-August 2012, warehouse stocks do not exceed one-third of the permissible volumes, and the export growth rate was 404% compared to the same period last year. The region has surpassed the planned positive balance of foreign trade turnover of $290 million and has already reached $1.5 billion. The average wage level in September is expected to reach $450 in equivalent terms for the region, and in December, it will be at least $500. During 2013, the region must achieve a wage level no lower than that of the Smolensk region, emphasised Aleksandr Kosinets. Therefore, the region faces the task of continuing the modernisation of the production sphere, ensuring the output of marketable products, and working on diversifying sales markets. -0-

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