At a meeting yesterday, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin discussed the Russian national hockey team’s performance and training.
On June 20, Vnesheconombank CEO Vladimir Dmitriyev met with Vladimir Putin and reported first of all on their success with investors.
“Most importantly, after your May 18 meeting with investors, we received a lot of positive feedback about Russian developments with regard to the investment climate and to establishing the Russian Direct Investment Fund,” Dmitriyev said.
“I have brought you a collection of the latest statements and publications. I couldn’t put it more eloquently. For instance, the Director General of the Kuwait Investment Authority said that Russia holds all the trump cards in order to become a leader on the front lines,” Dmitriyev told Putin.
“Excellent, and how much are they contributing?” Putin inquired.
“According to our information, the China Investment Promotion Agency is ready to finance joint projects and to operate independently of the Direct Investment Fund,” Dmitriyev replied.
He said that investors are primarily interested in innovation sectors, including pharmacology, medical equipment, agriculture, the food industry and energy-efficient technologies.
“Investors feel that Russia has an impressive potential for expanding its middle class,” Dmitriyev stressed. In reply to Putin’s question about whether the incipient Direct Investment Fund could already start implementing any specific projects this year, he said that there are plans to close one or two deals by late 2011.
“I think that the 62 billion roubles that will be disbursed this year will not be spent completely, but I have a feeling that we, along with the Fund, will be able to draw in $500 million for the implementation of specific projects,” Dmitriyev said.
Putin and Dmitriyev also discussed the bank’s sponsorship programmes, including projects involving the Moscow Patriarchate, the Mariinsky Theatre and the “Tennis Legends in Moscow” tournaments. Putin also inquired about hockey.
“Do you support the national hockey team?”
“Unfortunately, yes,” the banker sighed.
Putin smiled: “You don't want to talk about the national hockey team?”
“It seems there is either too little or too much funding," said Dmitriyev. Let’s face the facts. We do support the team, but money is not the most important thing. The team employs professional hockey players whose combined exceed the Vnesheconombank budget. Hopefully, we’ll be luckier next time.”
But the Prime Minister did not agree with him.
“No, it's not that simple. Workhorses are lucky. You must work,” Putin noted, reminding Dmitriyev of his own motto. “It's clear that experts are now making reformatting decisions. Right now, decisions are being made having to do with formatting the national team and the coaching process. Of course, further assistance and financial support will be required,” Putin added.
Yelena Chinkova