Speaking about the priority tasks the head of state outlined for him during the appointment, Yuri Karayev said that it is necessary to focus on achieving the social and economic targets set for Grodno Oblast. The primary task is increasing the gross regional product and agricultural output. Particular attention, according to him, will be paid to the agricultural industry, namely, preventing livestock mortality and increasing grain yield.
Security and personnel matters remain one of the priorities for the region, Yuri Karayev added.
According to him, while appointing him as the governor, the president called Grodno Oblast ‘a pearl of Belarus’. The new governor is determined to keep it this way, although the bar was set high. “We should not lose momentum under any circumstances, we must explore new growth opportunities, tap into untapped potential. The Belarusian nuclear power plant, Grodno Azot contributed a lot to the country and set the bar high. And now, in order to raise it further, we need to launch some new breakthrough projects. Let them be small, within the framework of the One District One Project initiative, but they should help retain workforce in rural areas. Take Ostrovets for example: high wages and high-tech workplaces coupled with accommodation can help retain workers in district centers and across districts. We must strive for this,” said Yuri Karayev.
Journalists asked whether Yuri Karayev intended to change the team or to retain the same team that he worked with in his previous position as an aide to the president. The governor noted that the job description in his previous role involved personnel matters, including appointments, so he had to be familiar with all key officials of the region. “I know the personnel very well. We have a very strong and professional team, it also refers to deputy governors; and this is attributed to the balanced, far-sighted policy of Vladimir Stepanovich Karanik [who worked as Grodno Oblast governor until March 2025, before being appointed deputy prime minister on 3 March]. We have always had great professionals in the economy, in agriculture, in construction, housing and utility services, healthcare, education. So far I do not see any need to change anything. We need to strengthen the media and propaganda component, ideological work,” noted Yuri Karayev.
