VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
“I think in this difficult situation we should support Russian farm equipment producers (with an emphasis on equipment actually manufactured in Russia) by increasing new and second-hand farm machine import duties.<…> I think we should agree with manufacturers and establish combine harvester import duties at 15% but no less than 120 Euros per cubic centimetre of the engine displacement.”
“Steps should be made at the regional level to promote Russian agricultural equipment sales. First of all, manufacturers should meet clients halfway - don't forget this! You should reduce the sale price of commodities standing idle in stores. What matters most now is to keep the sales market afloat and to revive working assets to continue production.”
“We would continue subsidising interest on industrial modernisation loans. We have said this. A billion roubles will be allocated to the Industry Ministry next year. I think it is possible to earmark 300-500 million roubles for farm equipment production.”
“We will go on subsidising loan interest for agriculture. Subsidies will reach two thirds of the whole, as you know. The 2009 budget earmarks more than 30 billion roubles for this purpose.”
“I think we should spend budget allocations in agriculture on purchasing Russian-manufactured machinery. This has been discussed today, and I stress once again that we will do so. Importantly, 70% of machinery purchases, including imports, have been made on soft credit with two thirds of the interest subsidised. Soft credit should be available only for domestically produced equipment. I insist on this.”
“There is an opportunity to extend farm machine modernisation programmes, in particular, by promoting the leasing market. I think we can afford to add 25 billion roubles to Rosagroleasing authorised capital. A relevant decision has been made. I expect it to stimulate sales of the produced machinery, and I insist on urgent equipment deliveries to clients.”
“As for Rosselkhozbank, we have added 30 billion roubles to its capitalisation, and you have received 25 billion roubles in junior loans. We can also discuss opportunities for collateral capitalisation. We should see how you are doing and what assistance industry is getting from you. I know Rosselkhozbank copes with its responsibilities. However, it remains in obscurity as you mentioned. Sberbank is issuing loans at 14% interest - high but passable for today - while Rosselkhozbank has not done anything yet. Work harder! If you improve, we will think about extra allocations for you.“
“Support of essential industries is one of the Government's main duties today. Agricultural machinery production is one example.”
“It must be said that this year we have nearly doubled allocations under different agricultural assistance programmes.”
“As for agriculture, it posted record-high growth over the past few years, 8.8%. We have gathered in a record-large harvest, including over 100 million metric tons of grain, which is the highest in many years.”
