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
“We would like the Agency [Strategic Initiatives Agency] we are creating to be as open to society as possible and to become an effective instrument for supporting in-demand projects, projects directed at the confident and sustained development of this country. <…> Genuine economic modernisation and the complete renewal of the social sphere will eventually grow out of thousands and thousands of separate successful projects in Moscow, St Petersburg and all over Russia, projects backed by leaders full of initiative, competent and interesting individuals with promising new ideas and unorthodox approaches to tackling national objectives.”
“Throughout its history, our engineering industry has proved its ability to guarantee our technological superiority in key areas of development. <…>We have brilliant examples of triumphs in science and design in the missile industry, the defence sector, the nuclear power industry, and power engineering. I have no doubt that the current potential of the engineering industry and the ability of our engineers, designers, and workers give us the right to hope for new triumphs and breakthroughs in the future. I’m sure we will not be disappointed.”
“I believe that the auction arrangements for purchasing Russian or foreign-made equipment should also be improved. If Russia makes something that complies with international standards, then there should be no preference for foreign companies or suppliers with regard to such equipment. That doesn’t mean we should squeeze them out of the Russian market. All I’m saying is that, regrettably, they enjoy greater preferences in comparison to domestic producers.”
“We are absolutely convinced that Russia should have a complete technological and production chain, from research and design to components and the large-scale manufacture of finished goods.”
“Over the next decade, Russia should join the ranks of the world’s five largest economies by GDP. I am, of course, not talking about a numbers race but about the need to achieve qualitative development through innovation and increased efficiency in both conventional and so-called new industries and sectors of the economy.”
“The year 2011 should become a year of major construction projects and of the completion of large-scale transport and energy projects. In fact, we will have to lay the foundation for Russia’s new infrastructure in the next decade. We need to ensure a breakthrough in the fuel and energy sector, and it should be a quality breakthrough based on greater efficiency and the deep processing of raw materials.”
“We are to find the kind of solutions that will give Russia the opportunity to go forward confidently and build a strong innovative economy, and each year of this development must bring real and palpable improvement in the life of people, for the absolute majority of Russian families. This is the thrust of our policy.”
“The strategic goals we set for longterm development through 2020 will remain unchanged. These goals are to improve living standards, make the economy innovative, and form effective market and government institutions. Why did we address the period after 2012? We had in mind not only the political calendar but also the premise from which we proceeded in the programme for long term development through 2020 (and it is mentioned there in no uncertain terms) that 2012 marks a new stage in Russia's socio-economic development.”
“As you know, leading economies are developing their post-recessionary strategies. Russia also needs one. Our growth strategy should take into account the new reality and provide solutions to the challenges of economic modernisation and an overhaul of the social security system and public administration. It is important to get the general public and experts involved in the discussion of this strategy.”
“The world today is completely open. A country that withdraws into itself loses its positions. Only an open country with an open employment market, education and sports can succeed. In an open country that kind of nationalism is impossible.”
“The new draft of Russia's energy strategy was approved in November of last year. Later on we revised the plan for the construction of electricity generating facilities and approved the draft plan for the general development of the gas industry, as well as the national energy conservation programme. The common goal of all of these documents is to create the necessary conditions for the most effective possible use of the country's energy resources.”
“Also, macroeconomic stability, low inflation, affordable credit, a reasonable budget deficit at certain stages and a good balance between debts and reserves all play a tremendous role in creating a friendly investment climate. I believe it may even possible to increase these reserves to some extent, considering the current rise in petroleum prices. To sum up, we should take a comprehensive view of the situation. Such an approach helps us to avoid diffusing funds too much or making promises we cannot fulfil. We have another objective: we should structure our efforts so as to fund priority projects and at the same time preserve a sustainable macroeconomic environment, thus guaranteeing the macroeconomic stability of the budget and the entire national economy.”
“Turn to federal targeted programmes proper. They account for a sizeable portion of the national budget. In particular, 740 billion roubles have been earmarked this year to develop advanced technology, build up social and transport infrastructure, solve housing problems and enhance security. The federal targeted programmes for 2011 will certainly address these obvious priorities.”
“I would like to remind you that a related law was passed late last year, followed by a comprehensive government action plan. We are facing an ambitious challenge to reduce the energy intensity of the Russian GDP by at least 40% by 2020. The need for a transition to a proactive energy conservation policy is obvious to everybody. First of all, it allows for economising. The public, the state budget and Russian companies can pay less for heat and electricity without compromising service quality.Most importantly, the energy conservation policy results in a substantial quality upgrade, improves the structure of the economy, urges companies to upgrade production facilities, creates a big market for high-tech commodities and services as well as thousands of high-skilled and high-paid jobs.”
“We should pay increasing attention to the projects outlined in the Main Guidelines for Government Performance in the mid-term and long-term perspective. First and foremost, we should focus on the projects designed to overcome technological backwardness and increase labour productivity, as well as on efforts to resolve urgent healthcare and educational issues.”
"The government should encourage all useful and socially responsible activities, including through tax breaks. I would like to recall in relation to this, that a number of draft laws on additional charity incentives have already been submitted to the State Duma. We hope that the Duma deputies will review them promptly, and lend them their support."
"I hope that the new programme for drafting technical regulations prepared by the Ministry of Industry and Trade will contain an exhaustive list of the documents, which we must adopt in 2010 and 2011 if we are to, finally, draw a line under this. The real economy should be given an opportunity to produce goods under modern standards and rules, which should encourage its development, not be a burden to it."
"Our primary goal is to diversify our economy, and to break from mono-economy. In the first place, we will encourage companies, both Russian and foreign, dealing in our priority sectors."
"Of course, efforts to replace imports are not an end in itself, as I have said more than once. We will succeed only if we replace imports with goods that are completely safe, of a high quality and, importantly, sold at affordable prices. Both producers of agricultural goods and consumers - the Russian people - should benefit from this".
"A schedule for introducing electronic options of key state services has also been approved. According to this schedule, this year, Russians will be given an opportunity of filing applications for dozens of important state services online. It means they will no longer have to go to offices and wait in queues".
