15 February, Minsk /Liliya Krapivina - BELTA/. Belarus's industry started 2012 with generally positive economic indicators. This was stated today by First Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Semashko at the award ceremony for the laureates of the Government of Belarus Prize for achievements in the field of quality, according to a BELTA correspondent. As Vladimir Semashko noted, the republic's industry faces challenging tasks, but the results of January have already determined many positive economic indicators. Thus, the growth rate of industrial production in January was 106.6% compared to the same period last year, which corresponds to the established forecast indicators. Agricultural production increased by 6.3%, which is higher than the forecast for the year. So far, GDP production has not reached the annual forecasts - 103.6% for January compared to the corresponding period last year (forecast for the year - 105-105.5%). "Overall, we have started normally, and despite many problems, we are moving forward, the process of industrial production is stimulated, which allows us to produce competitive, high-quality products," noted Vladimir Semashko. He also noted that since the competition for the Government of Belarus Prize for achievements in the field of quality was launched in 1999, about 600 enterprises have participated in it. Including 2011, 204 enterprises have become laureates of this prestigious prize. "This prize is prestigious, it brings enterprises' work to concrete results, provides an incentive, and contributes to the achievement of high financial and economic indicators," noted Vladimir Semashko. The winner gains the right to apply the quality prize emblem to their product for 5 years. This factor is an important aspect of an enterprise's marketing activities, allowing it to sell more goods, even at higher prices. The number of companies wishing to participate in the competition increases manifold every year, emphasized the First Deputy Prime Minister.