On February 7, Vitebsk /Olga Bogacheva - BELTA/. Open Joint Stock Company "Vitebsk Grain Products Plant" will commence the construction of a new mixed feed shop in 2012, the enterprise informed a BELTA correspondent. The project, with an estimated cost exceeding Br12 billion, is planned for 2012-2013. This year, the enterprise intends to allocate Br6 billion for its implementation. These funds will be used to develop the project's business plan, prepare the necessary technical documentation, and procure part of the required equipment. Construction of the new facility is scheduled to begin at the end of the year, with commissioning planned for 2013. The capacity of the new shop, similar to the currently operating one, is expected to be up to 500 tons per day. The project implementation will enable the plant to establish the production of high-quality starter and pre-starter animal feeds and increase the overall production volume of these products. In total, the enterprise plans to invest approximately Br7.5 billion in fixed capital this year. In 2011, Vitebsk Grain Products Plant produced goods worth Br125.3 billion, an increase of 33.6% compared to the previous year. Flour production for the reporting period amounted to 37.3 thousand tons, or 116.6% of the 2010 level; groats – 2.6 thousand tons, or 148%; and mixed feeds – 105.5 thousand tons. Sales profitability was 4.8%, and labor productivity – 136.2%. A total of Br350 billion is planned to be allocated for the modernization and re-equipment of mixed feed industry enterprises under the Department for Grain Products of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food in 2012-2014. This is stipulated by Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 116 of February 4, which includes Vitebsk Grain Products Plant. The enterprise was founded in 1953 and joint-stock company status was granted in 1997. It specializes in the production of flour, groats, and mixed feeds. The product range includes over 40 items. The average number of employees is around 550 people. The enterprise also operates two subsidiary farms, "Dobrinskoye" and "Sorochino," and an agricultural branch "Luchesa." -0-

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