Events

MINSK, 1 November (BelTA) – Belarus Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov presented state awards to distinguished Belarusians following the instruction of the head of state, BelTA has learned.

The list of awardees includes 94 people. These are workers of the construction industry, manufacturing sector, tax bodies, healthcare, mass media, education, science, and culture. They received state awards in recognition of the many-year productive work, exemplary fulfillment of service duties, professional excellence.

State awards were conferred on a big group of healthcare workers. Speaking about their achievements, Andrei Kobyakov said that the birth rate has exceeded the death rate in Belarus for the first time in the past 20 years. “It happened thanks to the comprehensive and consistent state policy measures,” he stressed. “In January-September 2016, the natural increase was registered in 85 out of 113 towns, and in one third of urban-type settlements. Besides, almost 90,000 babies were born in Belarus in the first nine months of the year. The number of newborns increased by 500 over the same period of the previous year. The majority of them are the youngest children in their families.”

The state is doing its best to create favorable conditions for giving birth to and bringing up children. Since 2007, Belarus has been implementing three demographic security programs. “There is a ramified system of state allowances, and the system is stable and efficient. At present it includes eleven types of allowances that are paid to one in three children,” the Prime Minister reminded. “Child care allowances were increased on 1 November.”

The Prime Minister also praised the achievements of the workers of culture. Their achievements are especially important in the Year of Culture. Many productions with the participation of Belarusian actors won special prizes and awards at prestigious theater festivals, Andrei Kobyakov said.

The presidential commendation was conferred on the organizers of the 5^th Belarusian People’s Congress. “The organization of the hotline of the people’s congress, the mass media coverage of events, and the organization of the versatile cultural program for the delegates were praised,” Andrei Kobyakov said.

The awards were bestowed upon the representatives of the National Statistics Committee. They have implemented important projects to develop the method of calculating consumer price index and the software for the personal inflation calculator.

The commendation of the President was also conferred on coaches in recognition of the many-year productive work to develop and promote physical fitness and sport, the work with elite sportsmen. “You have made a big contribution to the education and training of many renowned athletes, Olympic champions and medalists, winners of Belarusian, European and world championships,” the Prime Minister said. “We expect that thanks to your efforts our athletes will be a success at the 2019 European Games which will take place in Belarus. Such a high-profile competition including more than a dozen sports will be held in our country for the first time. We will do our utmost to hold the 2019 European Games at the highest level. These games will be of special importance because they will precede the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo and will be a source of Olympic berths for many athletes.”

State awards were also presented to the representatives of the biggest media holding company in Belarus – the National State Television and Radio Company. High-ranking representatives of the Belarusian Radio were among the awardees. “Over the years of existence, the Belarusian radio has evolved from a simple radio outlet into a modern high-tech media structure. Information, analytical, and music programs are extremely popular in the country and abroad. Nowadays many Belarusians start their day with the Radiofact program which marked its 25^th anniversary in 2016,” Andrei Kobyakov reminded.

State awards were presented to a big group of road workers. “Thanks to your efforts, the renovation of roads is in full swing in Belarus. The construction of high-quality motorways connecting Minsk and oblast capitals is in the final stage,” the head of government said.

Workers of the Economy Ministry of Belarus also received state awards. “The government hails your contribution to the development of Belarus’ national strategy of sustainable social and economic development,” the Prime Minister emphasized.

Andrei Kobyakov thanked the awardees for their professionalism and diligence.