The regional economy is gaining momentum, Governor of Gomel Oblast Ivan Krupko told the media following his report to President Aleksandr Lukashenko, BelTA has learned.

One of the topics of the report was the social and economic development of the region in 2026. According to Ivan Krupko, in January-May, the GRP rose by 1.2%. “We are growing with each passing month. In agriculture, we have seen growth of 5.3%. In the first quarter, industrial production declined to 98.5%. Today, we have already reached 100.9% and expect industrial sector to expand by 1.5%. This, in turn, will contribute to overall GRP growth,” he noted.

The regional governor noted that targets in the construction sector are being met today. Trade went up by 5.3%. Wage growth remains within the planned targets set for 2026. “Overall, in terms of all the key objectives set by the head of state and the prime minister at the Belarusian People's Congress, we have created the conditions to ensure they are fulfilled to the maximum extent possible by the end of the first half of the year,” the governor emphasized.

He added that exports are also on the rise. “Merchandise exports surged by 14.2%, exports of services - by approximately 132%. This has made it possible to increase revenue and achieve profitable operations, with profitability over the five-month period reaching 6.1%. The region is operating steady,” Ivan Krupko noted.

“The head of state inquired about the progress in the major infrastructure projects undertaken on his instructions. For instance, during the opening of the bridge in Mozyr, we made a detailed report on the construction of M10 Highway. Today, we are on schedule and will commission the first 16.5 kilometers in July. We are working on the documentation to ensure that the entire section of the road to Kalinkovichi, including the bypass, is completed by 2029,” the governor noted.

“The president also drew attention to one of his instructions, namely the completion of the Vostochny Bypass in Gomel. Reconstruction is currently underway, including the construction of a bridge and sections of road. These are also proceeding according to plan, within the funding allocations provided under regional and national programs. As funds are utilized, additional resources will be earmarked, and we will certainly fulfill all the tasks set by the head of state,” Ivan Krupko assured.

“One more point. During the president’s extensive trip to Gomel Oblast and a number of districts such as Petrikov, Mozyr, Narovlya, a number of tasks were set. For example, the development of district agro-service centers. The president inquired about the progress in the work in line with these instructions to make sure that each district should have agricultural machinery available, provide repair services for farm equipment, and offer services to the public. We have made decisions for Narovlya and other districts on how this work will be organized, and how we will arrange operations within agricultural enterprises themselves to prepare machinery for a new season and carry out repairs,” the governor noted.

“In Zhitkovichi and Narovlya, we outlined projects under the One District, One Project initiative. The head of state also took an interest in how this regional initiative is developing in each district. A great many solutions have been worked out. The banks that service these initiatives have responded positively. But these are not only loans. The companies, both privately owned and state-held, also use their own funds. It can be stated that at this point, every district has not just one, but between one and five projects underway under the regional initiative,’ the governor stated.

He emphasized that the president was interested in all aspects of the development of Gomel Oblast. I reported that the situation is stable. The economy is gaining momentum and on track to meet the targets set by the Belarusian People's Congress, the president's decree, and the Council of Ministers’ resolution.”