OREANDA-NEWS. February 26, 2008.  Belarus to finance sole traders in small and medium town settlements whose activity is trended to produce export-oriented and import-substituting products, develop road service and agro-ecotourism. These and other measures have been included into a list of events for 2008 to fulfill the state comprehensive programme on the development of regions, small and medium town settlements for 2007-2010. The events have been approved by Resolution #225 of the Council of Ministers.

The document envisages the implementation of 59 events in 2008. Oblast executive committees, national governmental bodies and other state subordinate organizations have been commissioned to pursue their implementation.

The programme stipulates elaboration of development business plans of organizations in the small and medium town settlements for 2008, approval of the oblasts socio-economic development forecast for 2009.

Tax preferences will be granted to organizations engaged in the investment projects on production modernization in order to develop industry and create favorable conditions for investments and entrepreneur activity in small and medium town settlements. Additional measures will be taken to develop crafts.

The list of events for 2008 also envisages the creation of new working places, development of services and consumer market and monitoring.