The main natural resources of the Gluboksky district, which can form the basis for the development of production and export potential, include land, forest, water, mineral, and recreational resources.

Land resources are characterized by a hilly terrain, high stoniness, and clay soils. The Gluboksky district covers over 175,958 sq. km: of which 88,484 (50.3%) are agricultural lands (including 51,723 arable, 36,042 meadows, 719 orchards, 24,827 improved, 11,215 natural, 3,140 under shrubs), 54,332 (30.8%) of the territory is occupied by forests, 13,016 (7.4%) by woody and shrub vegetation, 5,306 (3%) by swamps, 3,373 (2%) by roads, 2,031 (1.5%) by built-up areas, 2,069 (2%) by unused lands (ravines, gullies, etc.), the total area of drained lands is 34,140 (19.4%).
To bring new lands into economic circulation, work is organized to optimize land use; some low-fertility arable lands with poorer characteristics are being converted into fodder and natural lands, which allows for an increase in the fodder base and the development of agricultural products in demand abroad.

Currently, there has been an increase in proposals from investors to use agricultural lands for growing grain crops, vegetables, establishing orchards, and berry patches. The implementation of such proposals contributes to the development of the raw material base for the food, textile, and oil processing industries, for growing environmentally friendly products, medicinal raw materials, and for subsequent export within the investors' distribution network.

Forest resources remain among the most significant natural resources of the district: 28.1 percent of the district's land fund is occupied by forests. The composition of the forests is diverse, with coniferous tree species predominating. Forest resources have relatively high productivity. The age structure of the forests is favorable for meeting the needs of the economy, both in the short and long term.

Вместе с тем, данные ресурсы пока используются недостаточно эффективно. Слабое использование технологий глубокой переработки сырья, прежде всего тонкомерной древесины, преимущественное использование древесины хвойных пород, незначительный объем переработки лиственных пород, низкий процент производства и использования отходов снижают эффективность экспорта и не обеспечивают более значительного притока валютных средств.

По-прежнему, большинство инвестиционных проектов ориентированы на экспорт изделий с невысокой степенью обработки. В дальнейшем зарубежными покупателями проводится финишная доработка изделий и перепродажа по ценам в 2-3 раза превосходящим экспортные.

Преимущественно экспортируются паллеты и палетные заготовки, виноградные колья, древесина для палисада, столярные изделия, доска обрезная, плиты ДВП и ДСП. Крайне низок объем экспорта готовых мебельных заготовок, мебельных щитов, плит ламинированных, всевозможных изделий из бруса, готовых строительных конструкций. Неразвито производство фанеры, древесных плит повышенной и средней плотности. Не развито современное производство мебели, широкой гаммы изделий из мебели для учащихся, студенческой молодежи, молодых семей.

Несмотря на многочисленные договоренности мало практических результатов по освоению производства пелет, гранул, брикетов, топливной щепы, различных категорий дров для бытовых нужд, древесного угля, на которые существует постоянный спрос в Скандинавских государствах, Ирландии, Великобритании, а также в Литве, Польше и Латвии.

Реки Глубокского района относятся к Западно-Двинскому гидрологическому району. На территории района частично проходит водораздел Балтийского и Черного морей – рек Западная Двина и Днепр. Общая площадь водоохранных зон 44,7 тыс. га, в том числе водоохранных зон малых рек 27,5 тыс. га. Площадь прибрежных полос рек и водоемов 3,8 тыс. га. Всего в районе 22 малые рекипротяженностью 379,5 км, из них самые большие реки Березовка, Добрыловка, Мнюта, Аута (правые притоки Дисны), Шоша, Чистянка. Густота натуральной речной сети составляет 0,5 км/км2. Общая протяженность осушительной сети 7,6 тыс. км, в том числе отрегулированных водоприемников около 95 км, магистральных и подводных каналов 506 км.

Meanwhile, these resources are still not being used effectively enough. The weak use of deep raw material processing technologies, primarily of undersized timber, the predominant use of coniferous wood, the insignificant volume of deciduous wood processing, and the low percentage of waste production and utilization reduce export efficiency and do not ensure a more significant inflow of foreign currency.

Most investment projects are still focused on exporting products with a low degree of processing. Subsequently, foreign buyers carry out finishing of the products and resell them at prices 2-3 times higher than export prices.

Pallets and pallet blanks, grape stakes, palisade wood, joinery products, edged boards, fiberboard and particleboard are predominantly exported. The export volume of finished furniture blanks, furniture boards, laminated boards, various types of timber products, and finished construction structures is extremely low. The production of plywood, and medium and high-density wood-based panels is underdeveloped. Modern furniture production, a wide range of furniture products for students, young people, and young families, is not developed.

Despite numerous agreements, there are few practical results in mastering the production of pellets, granules, briquettes, fuel chips, various categories of firewood for domestic needs, and charcoal, for which there is a constant demand in the Scandinavian countries, Ireland, Great Britain, as well as in Lithuania, Poland, and Latvia.

The rivers of the Gluboksky district belong to the Western Dvina hydrological region. The watershed of the Baltic and Black Seas – the Western Dvina and Dnieper rivers – partially passes through the territory of the district. The total area of water protection zones is 44.7 thousand hectares, including water protection zones of small rivers – 27.5 thousand hectares. The area of coastal strips of rivers and reservoirs is 3.8 thousand hectares. In total, there are 22 small rivers in the district with a length of 379.5 km, the largest of which are Berezovka, Dobrylovka, Mnyuta, Auta (right tributaries of the Disna), Shosha, Chistyanka. The density of the natural river network is 0.5 km/km2. The total length of the drainage network is 7.6 thousand km, including regulated water intake structures of about 95 km, and main and underwater canals of 506 km.

In the Glubokoye district, there are a total of 111 lakes and ponds (area 3347.6 ha, 3.1% of the district's area). The largest of them are Shо, Plisa, Dolgoye (the deepest lake in the Republic of Belarus), Mnyuta, Velikoye, Petrikovskoye.

A promising direction for the use of water resources is the transfer of water bodies for lease for paid amateur fishing, commercial fishing, and fish farming.

In accordance with the Republican Comprehensive Scheme for the Placement of Fishing Grounds, in the Glubokoye district, there is an opportunity to lease 27 reservoirs and 2 ponds for fish farming.

The main mineral and raw materials of the district are peat, sand and gravel, clays, sapropels, and mineral waters.

According to the State Cadastre of Mineral Reserves of the Republic of Belarus, in the Glubokoye district there are 2 undeveloped clay deposits in the vicinity of the village of Plisa with industrial reserves of 570 and 228 thousand m3; deposits of sand and gravel "Pridorozhnoye" near the village of Olschina with reserves of 811 thousand m3, "Tsegelnya" near the agro-town of Proshkovo with reserves of 441 thousand m3.

The Glubokoye district has small explored reserves of sapropels suitable for medicinal purposes. Numerous experiments have proven that sapropel fertilizers have a positive effect on agrochemical properties, biological activity, and the content of mobile forms of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium in the soil. Currently, in the Vitebsk region, one sapropel deposit is being developed in the Malaya Korchinka lake of the Glubokoye district for use as therapeutic mud in the "Plissa" sanatorium.

The number of peat deposits in the district is 103 with peat reserves within the industrial depth of the peat deposit of 16901 thousand tons. The peat deposit "Skuraty" is being developed by the Foreign Enterprise "Systemo-Dvina", and preparatory work is underway for the development of the peat deposit "Kurianovo".

A significant competitive advantage of the district is the presence of unique recreational resources, which are currently underutilized. A network of specially protected natural areas is being developed in the Gluboksky district, occupying 3.5 percent of its area. Among them are the republican significance reserves "Dolgoe" and "Beloe"; two reserves, "Golubitskaya Pushcha" and "Servech," are included in the National Ecological Network and are designated as Ramsar sites. Such territories are considered the most suitable for organizing ecological and agricultural tourism, which ensures employment for rural residents and the population of small towns.

The natural resources of the Gluboksky district provide favorable conditions for the development of small hydropower, production and export of construction materials, forestry and wood processing industries, animal husbandry, flax cultivation, fish farming, processing sectors of the agro-industrial complex, development of tourism and recreation services, and balneological and mud therapy in the region.

The available natural resource reserves and the state of the environment allow for the expanded socio-economic development of the region, the efficient and rational use of existing resources, ensuring the preservation of unique landscapes and the biodiversity of natural complexes.

What preferential terms and benefits are provided to an investor upon conclusion of an investment agreement?

The mechanism of investment agreements allows for the creation of comfortable working conditions during project implementation, regardless of the territory where the project is carried out. It allows the investor to establish additional guarantees for the protection of their capital and simultaneously receive preferential terms and benefits during the construction of facilities for the implementation of the investment project, including on an individual basis. The main ones are: – construction of facilities provided for by the investment project, in parallel with the development, examination, and approval of the necessary design documentation; – provision of land plots for lease without conducting an auction for the right to conclude a land lease agreement, with the processing of the necessary land allocation documents simultaneously with the construction work; – full deduction of VAT amounts paid when acquiring (importing into the Republic of Belarus) goods (works, services), property rights used for the design, construction (reconstruction), and equipping of facilities provided for by the investment project; – exemption from import customs duties and VAT when importing technological equipment (components and spare parts for it) into the Republic of Belarus for use within the Republic of Belarus as part of the investment project implementation.

Who can receive funds from the innovation fund and for what purposes?

These can be both large high-tech production facilities and innovation-oriented small and medium-sized businesses. In fact, these are budget funds allocated on a non-repayable basis, but under certain conditions. Firstly, projects must feature novelty, technological advancement, and scientific developments. The second condition is that upon reaching design capacity, the added value per employee must be no lower than the European average (specific to each type of activity, averaging 55 thousand euros). The innovation project must be export-oriented (export volume exceeding import volume).

Is it difficult to obtain financing from the innovation fund?

The main requirement for applicants is the detailed development of an innovative project and the creation of a business plan. Subsequently, it is necessary to undergo departmental technical expertise by the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, followed by state scientific and technical expertise at the State Committee on Science and Technology, and then the project will be included in the State Program for Innovative Development.

How to start entrepreneurial activity in small and medium-sized towns and rural areas?

To carry out activities eligible for benefits provided by Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus of May 7, 2012 No. 6 "On Stimulating Entrepreneurial Activity in Medium-Sized and Small Towns and Rural Areas," it is necessary to:

- Register a commercial organization or individual entrepreneur with their location (residence) in medium-sized or small towns or rural areas;

- Conduct activities related to the production of goods (performance of work, provision of services) in medium-sized or small towns or rural areas.

(The territory of medium-sized and small towns and rural areas is understood as the territory of the Republic of Belarus, excluding the territories of the cities of Baranovichi, Bobruisk, Borisov, Brest, Vitebsk, Gomel, Grodno, Zhodino, Zhlobin, Lida, Minsk, Mogilev, Mozyr, Molodechno, Novopolotsk, Orsha, Pinsk, Polotsk, Rechitsa, Svetlogorsk, Slutsk, Soligorsk).