Small companies will be spared administrative barriers and excessive taxes.
At yesterday's Government meeting, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin instructed his subordinates to draft a strategy for national economic development until 2020.
"We need a model of growth based on today's realities," Putin said at the start of the meeting.
Last year Putin asked the Higher School of Economics and the National Economy Academy to organize this work. Now their proposals will be used as a basis for establishing expert groups on socio-economic issues.
Russia must develop small business if it wants to depend less on its oil addiction and pursue real modernization. The Government took the first steps in this direction last year by allowing higher educational institutions and research centers to set up innovation companies.
"Some 700 innovation companies have been established in less than a year. They are operating and can use the simplified tax schedule and can convert to the new insurance rates gradually," the prime minister said.
Putin recalled that the Government is investing budget funds into research in the hope they will create a new economy in the country. It would be a waste if scientific discoveries are shelved instead of used.
The Government will also consider other small companies that are not involved in innovation. They have requested broader access to state-guaranteed purchases more than once.
"The Government has a stake in supporting small business with budget money," Putin said. "The economic ministry has prepared a draft law regulating the purchase of state corporations, natural monopolies and companies involved in housing and public utilities. The goal is to establish clear-cut, transparent rules for the purchase of goods and services."
Nigina Beroyeva