Lukashenko lays out vision for developing Belarus’ northern region
16.10.2026
VERKHNEDVINSK DISTRICT (
BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko named the key areas for the development of Belarus’ northern region as he talked with journalists, BelTA has learned.
First of all, this is tourism. The president noted that this does not necessarily mean creating tourist complexes; one can start with smaller-scale projects. “And move along gradually: one, two, three little houses, a small compound. People will come to experience nature. In Rossony District and Verkhnedvinsk District there are no industrial facilities at all, no pollution. Walking here, breathing here is like healing [referring to the clean air in this area] and it’s for free. So we need to tap into tourism,’ he is convinced.
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that this issue is also relevant for other regions, especially those with protected natural areas. “Berezinsky Reserve, the reserve in Lyaskovichi, Belovezhskaya Pushcha, the Braslav Lakes. State reserves are the places that need powerful facilities so that people have somewhere to work and so that one can simply go there and recharge,” the president emphasized.
Another area is agriculture. The region has long had its own specific features. In ancient times the dominant farming system here was slash-and-burn agriculture. People would cut down trees, burn them, and use the ash as fertilizer.
Fields in the north are small and require a special approach, the head of state noted. “The fields are very small, especially in the districts of Verkhnedvinsk, Miory, Braslav, and Rossony. They are small patches, but it is soil, it is land. They must produce results,” the Belarusian leader emphasized. “It’s important to preserve these small patches that our ancestors left us. These are not large fields as, say, in Brest Oblast, Minsk Oblast, or Gomel Oblast. It’s three or four hectares, and they need to be cultivated. This requires special equipment. Our people are smart, they will quickly master this. Therefore, in addition to tourism, agriculture must also be developed,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.
“Take a look at the map to see how many hectares there are, and set up a dairy farm or a cattle fattening operation. There’s no need to get carried away with poultry farming in the north of Vitebsk Oblast because poultry needs grain. Grain is hard to get here. Growing grass is easier, for cows and bulls, for fattening,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added. “And a bit of grain because feed is needed too. This means crop rotations need to be changed, which has been said about Vitebsk Oblast more than once.”
He cited an example of businessman Nikolai Vorobei who is engaged in both sectors. He has the Krasny Bor tourist complex and the agricultural enterprise Krasny Bor Agro. The farm recently completed the construction of a facility for 3,200 head of Aberdeen Angus cattle. The projects to build two dairy farms is in the pipeline.
"Since they are developing the tourism business and hosting thousands of people, they need to feed them with milk, meat, and so on. He [Nikolai Vorobei] has a small workshop, a mini-factory, where he produces these goods and caters to people. Of course, he also purchases some things elsewhere, but the point is that he should not have to purchase them. Everything should come from the land. This is how the north of the country, the north of Vitebsk Oblast, should develop,” the president said.
Another area is wood processing. For Vitebsk Oblast, this matter is relevant given that woodland accounts for more than a third of the region’s territory. At the same time, forest resources must be managed wisely. “Forest, like grain crops, is cultivated for only 60-80 years. Mature forest is harvested, dried, and processed into everything necessary. Therefore, the third area is wood processing. Here, if necessary, we will build large plants. We are now working with the Omanis to build a pulp and paper mill. The Omanis are willing to implement the project. After all, they have no forests, and neither do their neighbors,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.
The Belarusian leader emphasized, forest resources should also be used in other sectors, for example, construction. The president proposed building small sawmill-type production facilities. This is relevant for communities such as Osveya in Verkhnedvinsk District, with a population of about a thousand people. Such production facilities will provide them with work and decent wages.
“Wood processing must be multi-faceted. Not just planting and sawing timber but restoring and processing it into furniture. Deep processing, in order to earn money. The land and forest must serve the needs of the Belarusian people,” the head of state emphasized.
The theme of developing the northern part of Vitebsk Oblast became central during the working trip of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to Verkhnedvinsk District on October 15. The president urged developing a strategic approach to developing these territories. “We were searching for the right development paths. I believe that both I and many of those who accompanied me and who are responsible for this work have gained considerable insight,” he said.
The head of state also drew attention to the development of Rossony District, which is even more difficult to develop, not ruling out that a private investor could be brought in to develop it. A similar practice is being applied in Verkhnedvinsk District, where businessman Nikolai Vorobei is based. “I am planning to find a private investor as well. If not, then the state will take it on. Rossonsky District is even more difficult to develop than Verkhnedvinsk District, but we cannot abandon it. If we truly invest in it and find people who will approach it with heart, as in Osveya, then Rossony District will see serious development. I do not rule out that these will be entrepreneurs not only from Belarus but also from Russia. If they are ready to invest, then we will go for it,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
First of all, this is tourism. The president noted that this does not necessarily mean creating tourist complexes; one can start with smaller-scale projects. “And move along gradually: one, two, three little houses, a small compound. People will come to experience nature. In Rossony District and Verkhnedvinsk District there are no industrial facilities at all, no pollution. Walking here, breathing here is like healing [referring to the clean air in this area] and it’s for free. So we need to tap into tourism,’ he is convinced.
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that this issue is also relevant for other regions, especially those with protected natural areas. “Berezinsky Reserve, the reserve in Lyaskovichi, Belovezhskaya Pushcha, the Braslav Lakes. State reserves are the places that need powerful facilities so that people have somewhere to work and so that one can simply go there and recharge,” the president emphasized.
Another area is agriculture. The region has long had its own specific features. In ancient times the dominant farming system here was slash-and-burn agriculture. People would cut down trees, burn them, and use the ash as fertilizer.
Fields in the north are small and require a special approach, the head of state noted. “The fields are very small, especially in the districts of Verkhnedvinsk, Miory, Braslav, and Rossony. They are small patches, but it is soil, it is land. They must produce results,” the Belarusian leader emphasized. “It’s important to preserve these small patches that our ancestors left us. These are not large fields as, say, in Brest Oblast, Minsk Oblast, or Gomel Oblast. It’s three or four hectares, and they need to be cultivated. This requires special equipment. Our people are smart, they will quickly master this. Therefore, in addition to tourism, agriculture must also be developed,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.
“Take a look at the map to see how many hectares there are, and set up a dairy farm or a cattle fattening operation. There’s no need to get carried away with poultry farming in the north of Vitebsk Oblast because poultry needs grain. Grain is hard to get here. Growing grass is easier, for cows and bulls, for fattening,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added. “And a bit of grain because feed is needed too. This means crop rotations need to be changed, which has been said about Vitebsk Oblast more than once.”
He cited an example of businessman Nikolai Vorobei who is engaged in both sectors. He has the Krasny Bor tourist complex and the agricultural enterprise Krasny Bor Agro. The farm recently completed the construction of a facility for 3,200 head of Aberdeen Angus cattle. The projects to build two dairy farms is in the pipeline.
"Since they are developing the tourism business and hosting thousands of people, they need to feed them with milk, meat, and so on. He [Nikolai Vorobei] has a small workshop, a mini-factory, where he produces these goods and caters to people. Of course, he also purchases some things elsewhere, but the point is that he should not have to purchase them. Everything should come from the land. This is how the north of the country, the north of Vitebsk Oblast, should develop,” the president said.
Another area is wood processing. For Vitebsk Oblast, this matter is relevant given that woodland accounts for more than a third of the region’s territory. At the same time, forest resources must be managed wisely. “Forest, like grain crops, is cultivated for only 60-80 years. Mature forest is harvested, dried, and processed into everything necessary. Therefore, the third area is wood processing. Here, if necessary, we will build large plants. We are now working with the Omanis to build a pulp and paper mill. The Omanis are willing to implement the project. After all, they have no forests, and neither do their neighbors,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.
The Belarusian leader emphasized, forest resources should also be used in other sectors, for example, construction. The president proposed building small sawmill-type production facilities. This is relevant for communities such as Osveya in Verkhnedvinsk District, with a population of about a thousand people. Such production facilities will provide them with work and decent wages.
“Wood processing must be multi-faceted. Not just planting and sawing timber but restoring and processing it into furniture. Deep processing, in order to earn money. The land and forest must serve the needs of the Belarusian people,” the head of state emphasized.
The theme of developing the northern part of Vitebsk Oblast became central during the working trip of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to Verkhnedvinsk District on October 15. The president urged developing a strategic approach to developing these territories. “We were searching for the right development paths. I believe that both I and many of those who accompanied me and who are responsible for this work have gained considerable insight,” he said.
The head of state also drew attention to the development of Rossony District, which is even more difficult to develop, not ruling out that a private investor could be brought in to develop it. A similar practice is being applied in Verkhnedvinsk District, where businessman Nikolai Vorobei is based. “I am planning to find a private investor as well. If not, then the state will take it on. Rossonsky District is even more difficult to develop than Verkhnedvinsk District, but we cannot abandon it. If we truly invest in it and find people who will approach it with heart, as in Osveya, then Rossony District will see serious development. I do not rule out that these will be entrepreneurs not only from Belarus but also from Russia. If they are ready to invest, then we will go for it,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.