Over the five-year period, it is planned to invest Br21.2 billion in the development of the Vitebsk region, which is 18.7% higher than the 2020 level. This was announced by Elena Borzdyko, Deputy Chairperson of the Economics Committee of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, today at an extraordinary session of the Regional Council of Deputies.
The projected volume of investment resources is determined by the program for the socio-economic development of the Vitebsk region for 2021-2025. It is planned to direct Br13.5 billion (63.7%) to the real sector of the economy, Br7.7 billion to the service sector, including Br2.1 billion to infrastructure projects. An investment portfolio has been formed for each district, growth points and development directions have been identified, and industrial sites for investors have been designated, information about which is posted on the websites "Investor's Roadmap", executive committees, and FEZ "Vitebsk". In total, 219 main projects in the production sector worth over Br4.5 billion are to be implemented in the region.
Breakthrough projects capable of boosting the development of the entire region will be in the woodworking sector by the Lithuanian company "VMG" (announced investment volume at the initial stage - Br230 million) and the AKITAMA group (Br210 million), which are being implemented in the Vitebsk, Polotsk, and Dokshitsy districts. The projects envisage the creation of more than 200 new jobs. All products will be exported, with the annual revenue for each enterprise from the moment of launch estimated at a minimum of 14 million euros.
In the Polotsk district, the company "KimaBel" is implementing another large woodworking project, which involves doubling the volume of wood processing into joinery products (from 330 thousand cubic meters to 600 thousand cubic meters per year). It is planned to employ 250 people. In Novopolotsk, the main projects are planned in the oil refining sector, including the organization of production of small-volume chemical products at OJSC "Novopolotsk Refinery" with an investment volume of about Br32 million.
In the Orsha district, breakthrough projects have been formed in all sectors of the economy, with some of them already being completed and the main volume of capital investments having been utilized. In addition, technological and organizational solutions have been found for other significant projects, such as the creation of a ring rolling production facility at OJSC "Zavod PAK" and the production of cutting bars at OJSC "Orshaagroprommash". The construction of workshops at the Orsha Tool and Aircraft Repair Plant, at OJSC "Tekhnika svyazi", LLC "Savushkin-Orsha", and LLC "Tsilindrs-Bel" will continue. By developing the logistical potential of the "Bremno-Orsha" special economic zone, cargo turnover will increase by 33.8%, and export of services – by 84%.
Seven districts of the region are classified as promising: Gorodok, Liozno, Rossono, Sennno, Ushachi, Sharkovshchina, and Shumilino. The main projects there will be implemented in agriculture and woodworking.
In the woodworking sector, the focus is on deeper processing, including small-volume timber. As a result of the planned modernization, the annual production volume will increase by 6-7 thousand cubic meters, and revenue – by Br1 million. In all promising districts, agricultural complexes are being modernized with an investment volume of up to Br3 million for each facility, while previously unused premises are being brought into use. On average, such reconstruction of farms will ensure a 3-4% increase in agricultural production. As a result, by 2025, a positive trend in all target indicators (revenue per employee, wages, per capita turnover, and employed population) will be ensured in the promising districts.
Through borrowed funds, new peat and sapropel extraction and processing facilities will be modernized and created in the Ushachi, Sharkovshchina, Braslav, Shumilino, and Rossono districts. All products are export-oriented. On average, up to 40 new jobs are planned to be created at each production facility.
Source: vitebsk-region.gov.by