OREANDA-NEWS. On December 19, 2007 by his Decree, the President of the Republic of Belarus has approved the Town of Polotsk Comprehensive Development Programme 2008-2012, reported the Official website http://president.gov.by. 

The implementation of the Comprehensive Programme will improve living conditions of Polotsk residents; encourage investment inflow providing that the natural, historical and cultural heritage of Polotsk is used rationally; increase the range of services provided by education, healthcare, cultural and sports institutions; boost the development of the tourist industry in the town and the region.

Under the Programme, a walking bridge will be built across the Western Dvina River; there will appear a new recreation area; the Tekhnolit-Polotsk foundry will be relocated outside the town population centre; a new hotel, maternity hospital, kindergarten and team sports palace will be built in Polotsk. Also on the drawing board are plans to carry out major overhaul of housing, a cinema, sport complexes, reconstruction of a hotel complex and roofed swimming pool, restoration of historic and cultural values.

The Programme is expected to create between 3,000 to 5,000 new jobs by boosting Polotsk services industry, and town beautification; to create a modern-day tourist services infrastructure in Polotsk and Polotsk district to have up to 3 million tourists every year. As a result of the Programme, Polotsk will become the largest tourist centre of Belarus.

The Decree has been issued with a view to boosting social and economic development of Polotsk.