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 can tell you that the moratorium on the increase of unprocessed lumber prices will be extended into next year, 2010. I believe a similar decision can be taken for 2011. But we will make a decision based on our analysis of the situation on world markets. We hope that our foreign partners will use the additional breathing space judiciously - incidentally, this applies not only to foreign partners, but to our own logging industry as well - in order to expedite the implementation of their development projects and not appeal to the Russian Government to extend the moratorium year in and year out."
"The new Russian Forestry Code, which came into force in 2007, has set transparent, market-oriented rules for the industry. They are based on environmental responsibility, equal access to resources, and incentives for those who invest in advanced timber processing. Such investors will receive tracts of forested land without auction. We have simultaneously decided to phase in higher export duties for unprocessed lumber. I would like to stress that this is by no means an attempt to weaken the position of our competitors. It is a very natural and long overdue step towards a more modern and diversified economy. I am confident that such steps open up new opportunities both for us and for our traditional partners. To be fair, one cannot but notice that we have given our foreign colleagues an excellent opportunity to expand their business. In effect, we have given them direct access to the Russian market and sent them a signal: come and build your facilities, create jobs, and work."
"We do not believe that the current problems are reason enough for giving up our plans for modernisation altogether, or for abandoning our commitment to scaling down the export of raw timber. I am speaking about our development strategy."
"The Russian car market has a bright future, especially when the crisis ends. I am confident that post-crisis growth will be considerable, and there are objective data showing that the Russian car market is the largest in Europe. Several years ago we decided to launch large-scale cooperation with our foreign partners in the auto industry. And today the bulk of the world's leading automakers have plants here, which we regard as an inalienable part of the Russian automotive industry. Specifically, the anti-crisis measures currently being implemented in Russia include these plants. We will provide all-round assistance to the traditional automakers. They have a large part to play in the Russian economy, as they ensure employment in dozens of cities and entire regions, and I am confident that they can deal with the current problems, modernise production, and roll out competitive products and cars that will be in demand."
"The timber industry requires greater support in these hard times. We have done something for it already. In particular, we are subsidising interest rates on loans to businesses and lumber exporters. Allocations for purchasing new equipment are being made through Rosagroleasing. Many plants are on the Government list of essential companies, which entitles them to government guarantees."
"I deem it necessary for the Russian Government to explicitly define its position on the use of forest resources, the development of the timber processing industry, and the basic principles of cooperation with our foreign partners. Obviously, we cannot be content with just supplying raw timber and with the current state of the industry… We have chosen to modernise the industry, establish new high-tech plants, create new jobs and come to the international market with competitive finished products. We should also work more to conserve our natural resources."
"I would like to tell you that the Government has drafted a decision on issuing the next tranche of state guarantees amounting to 36 billion roubles to the Agency for Housing Mortgage Lending. These additional funds should help the AHML to continue to develop mortgage lending, and therefore support people and the construction industry."
"A decision has been made to speed up the construction of the onshore spillway. I spoke about it during the meeting at the Sayano-Shushenskaya Hydroelectric Power Plant. As much as 4.3 billion roubles will be allocated from the Government's reserve for this purpose this year."
"The Russian Government is drafting a state energy efficiency programme. We have drafted a new Energy Strategy for a period until 2030. In fact, we would like to develop a fundamentally new energy system that will be more reliable, effective and environmentally friendly."
"The energy industry's investment programme in general. The programme prioritises reliable energy supplies and construction of new modern power plants. Notably, state-controlled companies must commission about two gWt of power-generating facilities in 2010. Private investors who have bought into the energy industry during the reform of utility giant Unified Energy Systems (UES) are planning to build another 3.8 gWt of power-generating facilities. The new owners of power-generating companies have pledged to implement investment development programmes and must, naturally, put them into practice."
