From airplanes to blood plasma-based medicines. Parkhomchik on the Brest region's ambitious projects.

Petr Parkhomchik, Chairman of the Brest Regional Executive Committee, Brest Region, promoting itself under the brand "#1region," strives for leadership in many areas. The production of unique medicines, the assembly of aircraft and river vessels are just a few of the ambitious projects that Brest residents are already working on. In an interview with a BELTA correspondent, Petr Parkhomchik, Chairman of the Brest Regional Executive Committee, discussed economic development, the prospects for the social sphere, why tourism needs a reboot, and how Pripyat Polesie should change. 
- Petr Alexandrovich, in your opinion, what breakthrough year was 2025 for Brest Region ?
- Certainly, it was more than just another year completing a five-year plan. We confirmed our ability to work effectively and multi-faceted. Overall, I would say that 2025 was a year of comprehensive growth for Brest Region. We performed well in agriculture, industry, attracting investment, tourism, and foreign economic activity. I'd like to emphasize the growth of the agro-industrial sector, which underpins our food security. 
Livestock production has increased. Gross milk production increased by 163,000 tons, with the average milk yield per cow exceeding 8,000 kg. Thanks to the modernization of dairy farms and the introduction of new technologies, we've been able to increase productivity, improve product quality, and expand supplies to domestic and foreign markets. The Brest region remains Belarus's agricultural leader. Our region accounts for a third of the country's food exports . We're focusing on the sustainable development of agriculture and processing—and we're seeing corresponding results.
We can say that 2025 will be a breakthrough year, as the Brest region has achieved a sustainable pace. There are no gaps between our plans and their implementation. Our people are hard workers who take their work seriously. Thanks to them, the region operates efficiently and achieves its goals. I'm confident this will continue. We're committed to continued development, ensuring that each coming year will be even more productive.
Incidentally, in 2025, we strengthened our regional branding efforts, giving the Brest region a clear regional identity. We're using the "#1region" designation to promote our image in the business and tourism sectors. These serve as beacons that attract people's attention, letting them know that the Brest region is a modern, dynamically developing, and open region. We're placing a special emphasis on tourism. Its contribution to the economy should increase. We'll reboot this industry and plan to develop a regional tourism development program for the Brest region through 2030.
The head of state is focusing on technological sovereignty. What unique industries have emerged in the Brest region and are planned for the future?
For example, household refrigerator production has begun in Baranovichi. This is a new direction for the Brest region. The equipment is in demand both in Belarus and abroad. This site has potential for expansion. We are exploring the possibility of establishing expanded polystyrene production. In Pinsk, together with Russian partners, we launched the production of axial piston hydraulic pumps. This project is unique not only for the region but for the entire republic. It fills a critically important position in mechanical engineering. A plant producing extruded aluminum profiles has begun operations in the Brest Free Economic Zone. This is also an import-substituting project. 
We are close to completing two more projects: the production of plastic components for batteries and a line for the production of blood plasma-based medicines. I think it goes without saying that both areas are very important. 
We are mastering the production of the Osvey light multipurpose aircraft. The goal is ambitious, but I have no doubt that the Brest Region is capable of achieving it. Specific plans have been outlined for expanding existing chipboard and veterinary drug production facilities. A new line of pressing equipment will be launched. Production of chrome-plated hydraulic cylinder piston rods will be launched. These advances will allow us to strengthen the region's mechanical engineering sector and increase exports.
- The economy is working to ensure social development. Please share what new developments can be expected in this area in 2026 and beyond?
- The most important thing is for economic revenues to improve people's quality of life. Therefore, all efforts are focused on ensuring the effective implementation of social projects. Over the past five years, seven new kindergartens and four schools have been built in the Brest Region. In addition, a number of educational institutions have been renovated. Thanks to this, comfort in new neighborhoods has increased, and more than 4,600 preschool and school places have been created. 
Six new schools are planned to be built by 2030. Two of them will be located in Brest. Construction has already begun in the YUZMR-5 microdistrict, with completion scheduled for 2026. A school in the Vulka-3 microdistrict is a future prospect. The region also plans to build new schools in Bereza, Kobrin, and the agro-town of Olshany in the Stolin District, while a school-kindergarten will be built in the village of Telmy-1 in the Brest District.
A preschool program has also been developed: five new kindergartens with over 800 children. Brest will receive two modern kindergartens, including one on Zhukova Street with a swimming pool. Foreign investment is being sought for this project . Baranovichi, Ivanovo, and Malorita are also planned to receive new kindergartens. 
The focus remains on healthcare. Thus, in 2025, the reconstruction of the Brest Regional Children's Hospital and the David-Gorodok Hospital, as well as the renovation of the Pinsk Children's Polyclinic, were completed. Modernization of the operating unit of Brest City Hospital No. 1 is underway. Construction of a new building for the Brest Regional Clinical Hospital is in full swing—it is the largest medical facility in the region in recent years. Large-scale reconstruction of the Pinsk Central Hospital is ongoing, and an infectious diseases wing for the Bereza District Hospital is under construction.
In the coming years, we plan to begin construction of a surgical wing in Baranovichi and a renovation of the Baranovichi Maternity Hospital. The Brest Regional Medical Rehabilitation Center for Children with Psychoneurological Disorders, "Tonus," will undergo renovation, including the construction of a treatment wing. Design work is planned for the renovation of polyclinics in Luninets and Stolin. 
People are eagerly awaiting these projects, and we will strive to complete them as quickly as possible. The goal remains constant: modern equipment and high-quality, accessible healthcare for everyone!
The Socioeconomic Development Program for 2026-2030 includes one of the key priorities: strong regions. In the Brest Region, special attention is being paid to the development of the Pripyat Polesie districts. How should they change?
Pripyat Polesie is a strategically important region. The program for its development has already been launched and covers a variety of areas: from agriculture and industry to infrastructure and the social sphere. Polesie possesses enormous resource and human potential, and we aim to utilize it to the fullest. In particular, dairy farms will be modernized to improve productivity and quality. Reclaimed land will continue to be brought into economic use. This will create more fields for agricultural organizations and farmers engaged in crop production. I emphasize that for Polesie residents, the most important question is "give me land." They know how to wisely manage their greatest asset.
The program is not limited to agriculture. It also includes production projects. Among them is the blood plasma processing plant in Gantsevichi, which I already mentioned. With the commissioning of this facility, the region will gain new competencies and create additional jobs. An innovative pharmaceutical production facility will be launched, unparalleled in the CIS. Thanks to the Pripyat Polesie development program, the Stolin, Luninets, Pinsk, and Gantsevichi districts should significantly increase their contribution to industrial production in the Brest region. 
All efforts are aimed at improving the quality of life in the region and enhancing people's well-being. We see Pripyat Polesie as a key pillar of the Brest region's economy. I would also like to highlight the region's rich tourism potential, which is far from being fully utilized. 
You've repeatedly emphasized tourism. Despite the Brest Region being a leader in this sector in Belarus, you nonetheless announced a "reset." 
Tourism is a strategic economic sector. Its contribution to the GRP should definitely increase. We intend to take a comprehensive approach to this issue. We are developing a diverse tourism product so that tourists of all ages and backgrounds can find a suitable vacation and enjoy the vibrant Brest Region. 
We will continue to develop our brands—the Brest Hero Fortress Memorial Complex and the Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park. New facilities will be built there. Construction of a spa hotel is expected to begin in Brest in 2026. New catering establishments and family vacation locations are planned for the region.
We are focusing on health and wellness tourism. Several projects have been launched to modernize sanatoriums. Treatment and sleeping facilities, spa areas, swimming pools, and restaurants will be built there. 
We've begun working hard to revive shipbuilding in Pinsk. This also opens up opportunities for tourism development. There's a plan to build pleasure trimarans at the Pinsk Shipyard for river excursions. This will also lead to the development of coastal infrastructure, including piers and recreation areas. 
What are the Brest Region's goals for 2026? 
Our primary goal, not just for 2026, but always, is for the people of the Brest Region to live better, for the economy to be strong, for healthcare to be high-quality and accessible, and for our communities to be cozy and comfortable.
We will adhere to the principle: attitude determines results. You can have the most ambitious plans and write any program, but without the right attitude, the desired results will not be achieved. And that depends on each of us!
Alevtina CHERNOVOLOVA, BELTA.