OREANDA-NEWS. June 18, 2010. At meeting of regional committee on economic reforms, held in Sumy, Viktor Yanukovych said that he supports elaboration of regional development strategy.

According to the President, first of all such programs must be developed for the regions with difficult economic situation. "We must turn our sights to such depressed regions, as Sumy, Kherson, Ternopil and Chernihiv. Average salary there is 25-30% lower than in all other regions of Ukraine," said Viktor Yanukovych.

In particular, he noted that the situation in Sumy region "requires immediate steps" as this region lags far behind others in its development. According to the President, we must find a new approach, create attractive conditions for investors and so on.

Viktor Yanukovych also stressed that through all the years of independence no necessary systems or approaches were elaborated in order to develop such regions.

After the meeting the President told journalists that he had instructed elaborating systemic strategy to develop Sumy region taking into account the peculiarities and traditions of the region. "We need to bring innovation and latest technology here," he said.