"True Poleshuk" Rusyi recounted how he violated the working style at a meeting with the President.

Mikhail Rusy, November 18, Minsk . On November 18, Alexander Lukashenko convened a meeting on the development of the Pripyat Polesie districts and the implementation of the corresponding program. The keynote speaker at the event was Mikhail Rusy, a "true Polesie native," as the President called him, the authorized representative of the head of state in the Brest region, and the chairman of the Standing Commission on Legislation and State-Building of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus . Mikhail Rusy told journalists how he violated the working style accepted at such meetings and what changes await the region, a BELTA correspondent reports. "I may have violated the working style at a meeting with the head of state. Given his natural modesty, he always asks: 'You tell me where things are bad, but what's good is good as is.' And sometimes we don't convey the results of the enormous work done by the head of state," Mikhail Rusy explained. He emphasized that Alexander Lukashenko has always paid special attention to the development of Polesie. "Today's program (until 2030 – BELTA note) is a continuation of that long-standing conversation the President began in 1996," the parliamentarian noted. He was referring to the head of state's trip to Lyaskovichi, the Polesie region, and the commemorative photo, which later became widely known, of Alexander Lukashenko speaking with Polesie residents near a large oak tree. "I remember he looked at me and said: 'The Polesie people are the salt of the Belarusian land, these are the people who can make a lot of decisions, and this region must be brought into perfect order and become a pearl,'" said Mikhail Rusy.
The first program for the development of Polesie was implemented in 2010-2015. The region has been transformed, the parliamentarian emphasized. For example, in the Gomel region, revenue from the sale of products, goods and services has increased sevenfold (in 2016 compared to 2009), profit from sales - fivefold, retail turnover - sevenfold, and the export of services - twofold. The efficient operation of many enterprises has been established. Among them is the Turov Dairy Plant , which previously processed 140 tons of milk per day, and now - about 700 tons. And this is not to mention the construction of social facilities, roads, the revival of the national park, and the implementation of gasification.
As a result, the largest number of settlements is concentrated in the six districts of Polesie included in the first program. with a population of over 1,000. "We've preserved resources—that's the most important thing," says Mikhail Rusy.

But we certainly can't rest on our laurels. "And during his latest visit to the Polesie regions, the President set the task: we need to take another step in Polesie; there's still enormous potential," the parliamentarian said. In accordance with the President's directive, a new program for the further development of the Pripyat Polesie regions, running through 2030, was approved. It was subsequently revised to meet the head of state's requirements. The geographic scope was expanded by adding three districts: Gantsevichi in the Brest region and Lelchitsy and Yelsky in the Gomel region, bringing the total to nine districts. Funding volumes and sources were also meticulously calculated, and all activities were detailed.
"The word 'event' refers to a specific facility to be worked on. It could be a dairy complex, a kindergarten, a school, or a land reclamation facility. We've calculated everything, looked at each district, and determined what we need to do first to ensure people can earn a living, the districts produce, and the budgets receive revenue and develop the social sphere," Mikhail Rusy emphasized.

"The head of state told us sternly from the start that there will be no easy money. There are development programs (in various sectors – BELTA note), funding sources, and government support – summarize them, review them, and determine the key areas," he added. "All of our existing programs – road, social, and 'One District – One Project' – have all been compiled and analyzed. It's a comprehensive, concrete program. I think it will yield tangible results."

And this result is also quite specific: to obtain 1 million tons of milk and grain, ensure a significant increase in export potential, and reach a wage of almost Br3,300. One agricultural enterprise has been identified in each of the nine districts, which in the near future should achieve the level of the successful Parokhonsky farm in terms of economic performance, which the head of state visited a year ago and held up as a model.

Along with the development of state-owned agricultural enterprises, the President ordered equal attention to be paid to farms, which have significantly strengthened their presence in the region in recent years. "They even offer: give us land, we'll improve it. But for a specific project. If there are 500 cows, here's the land. We can even help with land reclamation," Mykhailo Rusyi clarified.

According to him, the head of state also firmly raised the issue at the meeting of finally meeting the country's own needs for cucumbers, tomatoes, and other vegetables during the cold season through the joint efforts of all farms. "It's possible, and it's been calculated. But there was disunity among various organizations," he explained. " The government is taking control, and I think we'll quickly restore order."

In addition to developing the industrial base and agro-industrial sector, an important focus of the Pripyat Polesie program is the creation of favorable living conditions for people, the provision of social and other infrastructure, including addressing the region's pressing transportation issues.