Decree #1 “On stimulation of production and realization of goods, works and services” will promote the development of the production sphere in villages and small towns, Chairman of the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee Vladimir Andreichenko told BelTA. The state programme of development of small towns includes 40 settlements of the Vitebsk oblast. Due to the decree and other adopted bills, producers will have significant preferences. So, they will have an opportunity to invest funds in development of the economy of small towns and villages. In 2008, the investments in the economy of the Vitebsk oblast will make up no less than Br3.5 trillion. Several significant investment projects including foreign capital will be carried out in the region. According to the Chairman of the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee, the local authorities should start to seek investors as soon as possible and use the possibilities given the decree to set up new companies.