Territory
Gomel region is the largest one in the Republic of Belarus. Its area (40.4 km ) is commensurable to the territory of Switzerland or Holland.

45% of the territory of Gomel regions are covered with forests (one of the highest percentage of forest land in Europe).

The Europe largest rock salt deposits are concentrated in Gomel region (prospected resources make 22 billion tons).

Population
The population of the region is about 1.5 million people. Density of the population is 37 people per one square kilometer.

Table 1. «The population of area»
Table 2. «Manpower»
Table 3. «Distribution of the population by ownership patterns»

Transport corridors
Geographic location of the region predetermined its transformation into a large transport junction. Gomel is located in the crossing of Odessa-Kiev-St. Petersburg and Bryansk-Brest railways. Cargo owners from the regions of East Ukraine and Central Russia are given an opportunity to access specialized ports of Baltic area.

Motor transport takes special part in total turnover of goods and passengers. St. Petersburg-Kiev-Odessa, Bryansk-Kobrin, Gomel-Minsk highways run across the region. Airport, to which a status of an international one is assigned, functions in Gomel. The Sozh-river connects Gomel with the Dnieper. Regular navigation along the Pripyat, Dnieper and Berezina is carried out.

Economics of the region

At present, more than 348 industrial enterprises are operating in the region.Gomel region is one of highly developed industrial regions of Belarus. More than 300 large and medium-scale enterprises are located in its territory; their share in the total volume of the Republic’s industrial output is 23%. Fuel industry, chemical, oil-producing, food industries, woodworking and pulp and paper industry, ferrous metallurgy are the leading branches.

Table 4. «Indices of the main social and economic indicators»
Table 5. «The main industrial performances»
Table 6. «Indices of total production volume by branches of industry»
Table 7. «Indices of production volume in agriculture»
Table 8. «The main investments and construction indicators»

Large-scale industrial production lays the basis of economics of the region. Industrial giants such as Mozyr Oil Refinery, Belarusian Steel Works,Gomselmach and Chimvolokno Production Associations, Gomelsteklo Public Joint Stock Company are located in the territory of the region.Their share in the total amount of production output of the region is 70%. Besides the above enterprises, the enterprises such as Gomel Chemical Plant; Gomeldrev (manufacture of furniture); The 8th of March (ready-made garments); Gomel Machine-Tool Plant named after S.M.Kirov (machines and equipment); Spartak (confectionery); Mozyrsalt, Crystal (abrasive diamond tools); Gomeloboy (wall-paper); Dobruch Porcelain are worth mention. ТFuel and energy complex includes thermoelectric power stations in Svetlogorsk, Mozyr, and Gomel.

The total amount of finished steel, harvesters, window glass, phosphate fertilizers is produced in Gomel region; all Belarusian oil and gas are extracted here. Moreover, industry of the region produces more than 90% of all Belarusian steel, white salt; half of motor spirit, diesel fuel, cardboard; one third of particle boards; almost 25% of veneer and paper. At the same time, more than half of all produce is supplied to the markets of CIS states and other foreign countries.

The enterprises of the region include state-owned, joint-stock, joint companies, and medium-scale and small businesses.

Foreign economic activities in the region

Foreign trade indices for Gomel region :

Table 9. «The main indices of foreign trade»
Table 10. «Foreign trade with certain countries outside CIS»
Table 11. «Foreign trade of the region with CIS member-countries»

Companies of Gomel region are involved in export-import operations with 84 countries. Trade with Great Britain, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Italy, USA, Latvia are developing most actively. Steady growth of foreign trade turnover has been registered during the recent years.
The Russian Federation remains the main trade partner of the region, at which half of foreign trade falls.

Mineral products, ferrous metals and metalware, products of woodworking, paper, cardboard, machines and devices, products of chemical industry are traditional items of Gomel exports.

Production pattern formed in Gomel region, namely, existence of two industrial giants such as Mozyr Oil Refinery and Belarusian Steel Works, have determined the main import-purchase volumes which fall at raw oil and iron-and-steel scrap. These two items, being critical import, take one half of all imports of the region. In addition, the region imports machines and equipment, plastics, certain types of products of chemical industry, and products of food industry.

Foreign investments
Gomel region is considered one of the most dynamically developing regions of the Republic of Belarus. Its territory is concentrated powerful competitive manufacturing, agricultural, scientific and technical potential.
One of the factors enhancing the investment attractiveness of the Gomel region is its nomination of one of the leaders of innovative potential, preservation and development of scientific-technical complex. Gomel region has traditionally held a leading position in the country in terms of investment in fixed capital. A key positive feature of the investment climate in the region is the stability of its investment potential, which provides a constant and growing interest of investors.
In 2008 the volume of investments in fixed assets amounted to 2,520.2 million dollars.
In 2008, remained positive dynamics in the development of investment activities of organizations of all forms of ownership. The increase in capital expenditure compared with 2007 at constant prices on local and without departmental organizations amounted to 133% at the task - 125% or more than 2.4 trillion. rubles.
The proportion of own and borrowed funds organizations in total investments (including credit and foreign resources), while reducing the budget funds allocated for capital investment.
Thus, if during 2005, 2006 and 2007, the share of the budget amounted to about 40% of the total investment, up to 2008 it decreased to 33%.
In the Gomel region essential element of economic policy at this stage is to invest in the modernization of existing enterprises and creation of new industries.
It should be noted that the current situation is characterized by a lack of own investment resources, therefore objectively necessary to become increasingly attracting foreign investment, which are used for financial support to domestic producers and other subjects of management, new technologies, build export capabilities, the restructuring of the economy. The need to attract foreign investment is also dictated by the intense internationalization (integration) of industrial and economic systems.
In 2008 foreign investment amounted to 990.7 million, of which 127,8 million U.S. dollars - straight, 0.2 million - portfolio, 862.7 million - Other .
To enhance the investment processes in a list, the most significant investment and innovation projects, approved in 2008. The development system for monitoring the implementation of these projects, which would have helped in tracking the progress of the projects.
Local executive bodies of state authority attach paramount importance to attracting investment, improving investment attractiveness and maintain a positive image of the Gomel region. To achieve these goals at the Gomel investment forum is held annually.
The enterprises of the area there are a number of large investment projects, including those with foreign capital.
So in 2008, thanks to the Austrian capital (the company ATEC), has already started producing Glasss at the Gomel glass plants. With the participation of Russia's capital is made of the first stage launch of yet another glass containers production to foreign company with limited liability "Belstekloprom.
With a credit supported by the German banks modernized production of float glass in the open joint stock company "Gomelsteklo.
On the basis of a joint venture open joint stock company "Rechitsapivo" implemented a project for modernization of production and development of commodity distribution network in order to strengthen market position beer production. At the moment the company «Heineken» buyout additional shares in this company.
In April 2008, OAO Mozyr Oil Refinery "started to create a new hydrotreatment of diesel fuel. Power installation will be 3 million tons per year. Her input will enable the company to produce the entire volume of diesel fuel in accordance with ecological standards Euro-5 and, thus, promising to answer the requirements of the European market. For the construction of the installation in 2009 is planned to 104,7 billion rubles., Including 46.1 billion rubles. through foreign investment. This project is included in the list of major investment projects this year, approved by the Council of Ministers № 2068 "On investment activity in Belarus in 2009". On a platform erected the first piece of equipment (large-capacity reactors), being civil works, which is scheduled for completion in the first half of 2009. In the current year to begin assembling the basic facilities, scheduled for commissioning in 2010.
On the territory of the Gomel region, the State program of innovation development of Belarus for 2007-2010 provides for implementation of 39 projects, including 8 projects to create new businesses and major industries (1st level), 11 projects to create new production at existing plants (2nd level) and 20 projects for modernization of existing facilities based on the introduction of new and high technologies (3rd level). Implementation of these projects aim at improving the efficiency of industry and improvement of social conditions in the region, as well as providing innovative development of the main branches of the regional economy. Thus, the development of agriculture and processing industries will contribute to the implementation of 15 projects of the program, development of construction and glass industries - 9 projects, development of consumer and industrial products - 7 projects, addressing energy efficiency - 5 projects. In services, the environment, development of science and scientific services provided do one project.
In the state program of development of regions, small and medium towns in 2007-2010 includes 40 major investment projects planned for implementation in the small towns of Gomel region. Investment projects included in the Comprehensive Program, represented by the following sectors: industry - 26 projects, housing and communal services - 5 projects, the agricultural sector and construction - 4, education and physical education - 4 projects, transport and communications, trade and paid services - 1 project.
The top priorities of investment are: construction, energy, recycling, tourism, trade and services.
Currently being developed investment projects on construction of cement plants, plant to produce soda ash, construction of hypermarkets in the city of Gomel, etc. Expected date of implementation of these projects are planned for 2010-2012.