“Everyone has resources for growth”: Council of the Republic members on how the regions will develop

On November 8 and 9, a national seminar-conference on modern approaches to regional development was held in Shklov on the example of Shklov district. New tasks and goals of further actions on the ground, announced by the President, for the participants of the event became a direct guide to action. An important role in the implementation of the instructions of the Head of State is assigned to the Council of the Republic as the chamber of territorial representation. In comments to the correspondent of sb.by parliamentarians addressed the most important messages of the President.

Illustrative SB photo Member of the Standing Commission of the Council of the Republic on Economy, Budget and Finance, Chairman of the Gomel District Executive Committee Alexander Novikov drew attention to the fact that the chosen vector of regional development is focused on a specific, measurable result:

- A fundamentally important signal is the focus on a replicable model ready for implementation in any region. The presented approach demonstrates the systematic and practical orientation of the decisions taken, which makes it possible to consider it as a methodological basis for the formation of similar strategies on the ground. The continuity of approaches is ensured by combining the creation of new with the maintenance and development of existing capacities.

According to him, special attention should also be paid to the focus on basic industries: timber processing and agriculture.

“The Shklovsky district has shown that enterprises in these spheres are working and developing,” said a member of the Council of the Republic. The experience considered confirms the feasibility of further dissemination of such practices and their integration into the overall system of regional planning. The integrated nature of the presented solutions creates prerequisites for their consistent application, taking into account the specifics of specific territories, which in the future will contribute to the achievement of sustainable and reproducible results at the regional level. Member of the Standing Commission of the Council of the Republic on Regional Policy and Local Self-Government, Chairman of the Volkovysk District Executive Committee Dmitry Zakharchuk noted that the past meeting for the chairmen of the district executive committees was not just a planned meeting, but a substantive audit of the work:

The choice of Shklovsky district for such a conversation is an absolutely accurate and strategic move. The president took not an exemplary, but a typical, medium-sized territory to set a new, objective bar: if the middle district is capable of such dynamics, then everyone has a resource for growth. The main signal of the meeting is the transition from general words to rigid economic mechanisms.

So, in agriculture, a course has been taken to increase economic efficiency. In animal husbandry, the focus is shifting to meat, as it is the fastest way to get financial returns while respecting discipline and technology. Special attention was paid to the logistics of resources. That is, money, machinery, spare parts, fertilizers should go directly to farms through agricultural services, bypassing intermediaries who wash working capital with unreasonable margins.

“The tasks are very clear, and the requirements for their implementation are multiplying,” said Dmitry Zakharchuk. But I don’t look at these things as more control. First of all, it is a credit of trust and the transfer of full responsibility. We are empowered to make independent, quick and effective decisions on the ground. A member of the Standing Commission of the Council of the Republic on International Affairs and National Security Alla Smolyak believes that it is important to develop clear roadmaps for the development of timber processing, agro-industrial complex, and to determine specific economic decisions:

- With regard to timber processing, we have everything to move forward: a wealth of resources, a serious production base that is constantly being modernized, our own school. And, importantly, the traditions of careful forest management, the understanding that the forest is an invaluable natural wealth and heritage that must be protected and passed on to future generations. Our wood products are in demand in different countries. But the issues of expanding the geography of supplies, diversifying exports, intensifying marketing policy and further modernization of the industry are not removed from the agenda.

In addition, in her opinion, Belarusian food products are in great demand abroad – they have firmly established the status of high-quality, safe products.

- At the same time, a high level of food security remains in our country itself, the member of the Council of the Republic added. And this is the result of systematic work: from improving agricultural technologies to industrial discipline. The key to sustainable development here is the continuation of the modernization of the agro-industrial complex, the strengthening of quality control at each stage - from seed preparation to delivery to the shelves, the regular renewal of the agricultural machinery fleet, as well as further improvement of the quality of agricultural machinery. At present, it is important to outline practical guidelines for the tasks set by the Head of State, develop clear roadmaps with mandatory reference to the peculiarities of a particular region, and determine specific economic decisions. And all this is based on key approaches – technology, discipline, planning. Member of the Standing Commission of the Council of the Republic on International Affairs and National Security Andrey Krivonosov focused on the food and export potential of the country:

- We are very proud that our products continue to conquer the world. But it is important to maintain this advantage, which is difficult without changing management approaches. It is no secret that the state invests huge funds in the work on the ground. This applies to the restoration of land, support for farms, and the creation of infrastructure. But does this investment match the result? I think the impact could have been much greater. The problem here is not a lack of resources, as some say, but how those resources are managed on the ground. There must be a master on the ground who feels personal responsibility for the territory entrusted to him and does not wait for instructions from above.

The chairman of the district executive committee should think like a statesman, and not like a temporary worker who came for a couple of years, says a member of the Council of the Republic:

- There is also another important side here. The President stressed that we are followed by children who want to live well. Our task is to create an environment where young people would like to live and work. Then we will see the successful development of the regions and the consolidation of people. If we learn to protect what we have and use it wisely, we will solve current problems and make a good foundation for the future. Chairman of the Standing Commission of the Council of the Republic on Regional Policy and Local Self-Government Leonid Zayats told what projects Belarus is implementing in the agro-industrial complex with other countries. The parliamentarian stressed that inter-parliamentary diplomacy is a significant tool for promoting Belarus’ economic interests in other states. Among the successful examples are the XIII Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia, as well as the Uzbek-Belarusian Inter-Parliamentary Forum, where issues of cooperation and economic interaction were discussed.

- New joint ventures are emerging in Uzbekistan, including in the agro-industrial complex. One of the largest agro-industrial holdings in Belarus is adapting its project in the Tashkent region - from egg production to broiler meat processing with its own feed production. Already in 2028, the first volume of products will go to the food market of Uzbekistan.

Industrial cooperation is also developing: the Minsk Motor Plant will produce generators and other equipment in Uzbekistan, the creation of MTZ assembly plants and quarrying equipment is being considered.

- Agrarians of Uzbekistan are also interested in the products of the agro-industrial complex of Belarus. They are ready to cooperate with the Belarusian regions in organizing the production and raising of cattle. In Zimbabwe, we supplied technologies, helped to sow fields, and this state provided its population with bread, added Leonid Zayats. After trying our products, everyone wants to have them on their table. Having tried out Belarusian technologies and practical directions, other countries are trying to create the same at home. We appreciate this, respect it and will continue to go this way, build joint ventures, create assembly shops and hubs.