Belarus is entering a trajectory of sustainable long-term economic growth. This is facilitated by the implementation of the state investment program. Over the first nine months of this year, 29.6 billion rubles were invested in fixed capital. "Good investments are the wealth of people and the region," the Belarusian leader has repeatedly emphasized. Just over a year ago, Alexander Lukashenko signed a decree expanding the list of the main tasks of the Development Bank. The list of areas of activity of the financial institution now includes support for the most significant investment projects for the country, and new items on supporting small and medium-sized businesses were identified. A significant role in financing belongs to the branch in Vitebsk. In terms of the volume of loans issued, our region ranks second in the republic.

– The total volume of credit resources invested in the Vitebsk region economy over 11 years amounted to about 2 trillion rubles. In 2024, 5 projects were implemented with the participation of the Development Bank, another 6 are at the completion stage. Significant support is provided by the regional executive committee and personally its chairman Alexander Subbotin, – emphasizes the head of the Development Bank branch in Vitebsk Sergei Lapekho . – The positive impact of the projects on the region's economy lies in the growth of revenue, increased labor productivity and production efficiency. Modernization of enterprises and development of social infrastructure are among the key tasks that the bank successfully solves.ON THE SIDELINES OF THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM

Thanks to the financial support of the Development Bank, a modern complex for the production of water purification equipment was put into operation in Vitebsk. The large assembly production, which includes several sections of various specializations, was presented by UP Polimerkonstruktsiya during the XI International Economic Forum "Innovations. Investments. Prospects". Due to the installation of high-tech equipment in new areas and the introduction of advanced developments, the production capacity of the enterprise immediately doubled. The company was also able to improve the quality of its products and expand their range.

Employees of the Vitebsk enterprise annually produce dozens of large and small complexes for the purification of natural and waste water, including iron removal stations. Today, localization of production is more than 85%. All products are classified as innovative and are in high demand by organizations in the housing and communal services system and industrial enterprises.

— The implementation of the investment project for the reconstruction and re-equipment of production allowed UP Polimerkonstruktsiya to reduce the deadlines for the delivery of facilities. The release of competitive products, import substitution and increase in exports are the most important tasks for which the funding was directed, — emphasizes Sergey Lapekho. — In addition, comfortable working conditions have been created, additional jobs have appeared.

Compared to last year, UP Polimerkonstruktsiya increased its export volume and revenue by almost 230%. The geography of deliveries includes more than 40 regions of Russia. By the way, within the framework of the Clean Water program, 6 contracts were concluded with GUP Lenoblvodokanal. The company plans to actively develop China, India, the Arab world and Central Asia.

TOWARDS INDUSTRIAL SAFETY

The financial institution allocated about 6.8 million rubles to solve the problem of flooding of the Gralevo dolomite quarry. After the construction of the dam and reservoir of the Vitebsk hydroelectric power station, when the water level in the Western Dvina gradually increased, a threat arose to the deposit with a great depth of rock occurrence. Financing made it possible to update the quarry's dewatering system. This spring, the reconstruction of the pumping station for drainage and the construction of water drainage were completed. Thus, OAO Dolomit, the largest enterprise in Europe for the extraction and processing of dolomite raw materials, eliminated the loss of equipment and ensured safe working conditions for more than 800 people.

SUPPORT PRIVATE BUSINESS

With the participation of partners, commercial banks and leasing companies, the Development Bank continues to increase the volume of investments within the framework of the program of financial support for small and medium-sized businesses. The figures speak for themselves: applications approved by the financial institution became support for 204 projects in the northern region. Almost 65 million rubles were allocated for these purposes, which amounted to about 20% of the total amount of funds provided in the country.

- By the way, one third of business initiatives financed within the framework of the product "Support of Regions" falls on the Vitebsk region. The main focus this year was export-oriented and import-substituting projects. Working to saturate the domestic market and maintain the country's export positions on the world market is the number one task for the economy, - notes the head of the Development Bank branch in Vitebsk. - At the same time, support is found for a variety of focus groups: from agriculture to startups and women's entrepreneurship.

FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

The Development Bank also pays much attention to the construction of social facilities. A striking example of this is the recent opening of the first primary school in Belarus - a kindergarten in the regional center. Under one roof, 850 children aged 1 to 6 years can study here at the same time. The educational institution was built using the latest technology. The modern temple of knowledge has a swimming pool, gyms and music rooms, computer rooms, a language laboratory, a library, playgrounds, and a medical unit. A barrier-free environment has also been created. Another distinctive feature is that the facility has become a center of attraction for young specialists, about 40 percent of whom. By the way, in the Bilevo microdistrict, construction of another preschool institution is ongoing. Its commissioning is scheduled for early next year.

EXPANDING HORIZONS

In 2025, the Vitebsk branch of the Development Bank aims to finance the national economy in all areas. The reconstruction of the medical building No. 2 of the Vitebsk Regional Infectious Diseases Hospital, the construction of the surgical building of the Vitebsk Regional Clinical Hospital, the polyclinic in the Aeroport microdistrict in Polotsk and the Novopolotsk regional complex for handling municipal solid waste will continue. Next in line is the technical re-equipment of the machine-building plants of OAO Krasny Borets and OAO Vistan, the construction of an industrial incubator, a broiler shop and a milking and dairy block of the Vitebsk broiler poultry farm, the reconstruction of the production complex at the Verkhnedvinsk butter and cheese factory.

A project to create a high-tech modern enterprise for the production of vaccines and drugs for animals, Belkarolin LLC, will also be implemented. The Vitba confectionery factory, with the support of the financial institution, plans to create a production and logistics center by reconstructing unfinished construction projects. In addition, in the best traditions, the Development Bank will continue to finance infrastructure projects in the Vitebsk region.