OREANDA-NEWS. July 01, 2009. It is necessary to attract external investments into the development of the Pripyat Polesie area, Prime Minister of Belarus Sergei Sidorsky told a session of the Council of Ministers Board. The session tabled a draft state programme for comprehensive development of the Pripyat Polesie in 2009-2015, reported the Official website government.by.

Instead of repeating the existing programmes the new one should build up on them, including programmes designed to develop rural areas, small and medium towns. The investments it will use should not be shifted from one place to another but should be used for specific purposes, stressed the Prime Minister.

“We accept this programme in conditions of the global financial crisis. This is why the investments should produce a tangible result now and a return in the future,” said Sergei Sidorsky.

The Prime Minister reminded that the President of Belarus had instructed the government and local authorities to think about comprehensive social and economic development of this unique region. According to Sergei Sidorsky, there are issues that need to be addressed. The meat cattle stock needs to be increased as well as the total number of cattle. The infrastructure of the Pripyat territory has to be developed. The rich natural resources of Polesie have to be used as effectively as possible. External investments should be attracted with this goal in mind. “External investments should be the priority for the region,” said Sergei Sidorsky. He also pointed out the need to further develop tourism in this region. The region should become a unique area and an example for others to follow, underlined the Prime Minister.

The head of government was positive about the draft programme for Polesie’s social and economic development. It reflects main development avenues determined by the President. In order to start active work, it is necessary to specify responsibilities of oblasts, regions, ministries and agencies for implementing sections of the programme, stressed Sergei Sidorsky. It is also necessary to smooth the financing of the projects in order to ensure effective use of all the investments.