GalleryMain Seven-Year Targets
The Communist Party has always paid attention to developing the productive forces of the Union Republics. Under the Seven-Year Plan each republic will primarily develop those branches of the economy for which it has the best and most suitable natural and economic conditions. At the same time the Plan provides for a proper combination between the interests of each of the republics and of the Soviet Union as a whole.
What does this mean?
First, that all the peoples of the U.S.S.R., including the Estonians, have one common aim—to build a communist society. The Seven-Year Plan ushers in a new chapter in the history of all the Soviet peoples, a chapter of the comprehensive building of communism.
Secondly, that in the Soviet Union all nations are equal, that all are equally concerned in the further economic prosperity of all the other republics, and that there are no nations or peoples in the position of step-children, as our enemies would like to make out.
Thirdly, that the economic links between the different Soviet Republics will grow still stronger and that there will be an increased socialist division of labour. This co-operation precludes the development and even the slightest advantage of any one nation at the expense of another.
Everyone helped to draw up and discuss the Seven-Year Plan. In Estonia all the workers at every enterprise, collective farm and scientific institution discussed most thoroughly and from every angle everything that could be done to advance the republic's economy faster.
Tens of thousands of suggestions were made. The Central Committee of the Communist Party, newspapers and magazine officers were literally deluged with letters containing remarks and advice.
The Council of Ministers and State Planning Committee of the Republic, the Economic Council and the Ministries gave the people's suggestions every consideration. Everything of value was taken into account in the final drafting of the Plan.
What are the main seven-year targets for economic advancement in Estonia? Which branches of the economy are slated for priority development?
More than 8,000 million roubles, 80 per cent more than in 1952-58, will be invested in republican and local economy.
A further 2,000 million roubles is to be earmarked for building the Baltic electric station and to develop the railway network, the commercial fleet and other branches of republican economy under all-Union authority, while some 4,000 million roubles will be invested by the co-operatives, collective farms and other organisations.
Gross industrial output in the Republic is slated for an increase of approximately 80 per cent. Output in engineering will go up 130 per cent, of shale 80 per cent, of electricity 450 per cent, and of agricultural produce almost double. The fishing catch is to go up 120 per cent.
What do these targets mean for Estonia's economy? What improvements will there be in the life of the people when the Seven-Year Plan is carried out? What will Estonia be like tomorrow?
Let me begin by telling you of the industry which is the foundation for raising the people's welfare.
Soviet Booklets, London, England, in December, 1959, as part of the series
"THE FIFTEEN SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS OF TODAY AND TOMMORROW."
We do not endorse the Soviet account of historical events or their circumstances contained therein as factual.
