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
“Support from Russian citizens has always helped us, and I’m confident that the government’s future line-up will rely on the people. We must never forget about the needs of ordinary people. We must always remember how government-level decisions influence the lives of all ordinary Russian citizens.”
“We have published a list of strategic enterprises recently, which will receive additional assistance if needed.<…> The Governmental Commission on Sustainable Development of the Russian Economy will monitor the operation of these strategic enterprises.”
“The Russian economy and social sphere will finish the year in the black despite negative dynamics in the fourth quarter. GDP is expected to grow 6%, and many other key socio-economic indicators will also be positive. In particular, growth in agriculture has been even higher than expected. The latest data show a 10% increase. Investments in the economy were also 10%, which is higher than we had expected. The average monthly wage will grow, despite the 13.5% inflation, by 10%-12% in real terms. Pensions have increased by a third.”
“I can tell you that the Central Bank and the Government have reserved huge funds, trillions of roubles, for the anti-crisis package, notably for maintaining banking liquidity and compensating huge income shortfalls. Even if we don't need to spend all of them, the scale of planned allocations points to our greatly increased possibilities. I must say, though, that the Government does not intend to use all of its reserves to fight the crisis regardless of the effect of such measures. The priority goal today is to increase the efficiency of budget spending and to maintain macroeconomic stability.”
“We will consider other measures to maintain railways investment potential. Analysts estimate it would take more than 100 billion roubles to implement the current investment programmes, and another 100 billion roubles to refinance Russian Railways debt. How should we do that? I think it is possible to place Russian Railways bonds to the tune of 150 billion roubles, and then see what the budget can afford in the beginning of the year, and before February 1 make a decision on possible direct government investment in the company's capital stock. I feel obliged to stress that the matter demands the utmost accuracy and circumspection.”
“We need to implement large investment projects - those that guarantee demands for high technology. Now that traffic volume is shrinking, Russian Railways and independent traffic companies have the opportunity to inventory equipment and to discard obsolete and worn-out cars and other equipment. At the same time, they should consider purchasing new, state-of-the-art cars, which are far more efficient. This is a chance to become more competitive. These acquisitions can also give a new lease of life to Russian transport manufacturers.”
“The decision to phase in the tariff increase over the next year was made to promote the entire economy - in particular, to facilitate the business activity of the railways' primary clients.”
“The Government does not intend to force the railways to bear the brunt of the burden. Federal allocations, up to 50 billion roubles, will compensate for Russian Railways' lost revenues. We will also compensate student travel discounts. We have directed the relevant instructions, as you know.”
“Freight traffic volume is on the decline. That is the railways' main concern. This is due primarily to shrinking demand for steel and fertiliser and for mined coal. The market is on the decline and taking Russian Railways' revenue with it. As you know, we have decided on a more gradual increase in raising tariffs of natural monopolies. This was done in the interests of the entire economy. For example, railway freight transport rates should increase 12% at most in 2009, as opposed to the expected 18.7%. January 1 will see only a 5% rise - less than planned previously.”
“This year, we have earmarked 1.7 billion roubles for the centre's [Federal Scientific Clinical Centre for Child Hematology, Oncology and Immunology] construction, and will allocate another 500 million roubles before the year expires. The year ends a few days from now, but we will wire the money. Next year, we will allot 2.6 billion roubles. This is big money on a national scale, and even bigger on the scale of healthcare funding.”
