Prime Minister Vladimir Putin met with Governor of the Khabarovsk Territory Vyacheslav Shport
Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:
Vladimir Putin: Could you bring me up to date on the progress in the Territory, please?
Vyacheslav Shport: Mr Putin, the situation in the Khabarovsk Territory is tense but steady. Issues raised by the crisis are now under control. We have 32,000 jobless and things have stabilised; this is 4% of the able-bodied population.
Vladimir Putin: It's not a very high figure, but these people will still need help. Do you have a regional programme of your own?
Vyacheslav Shport: Yes, we do. There are 18,000 vacancies available and an anti-crisis programme of the Khabarovsk Territory to provide help. We have been allocated 244 million roubles in federal money for public works. The money is already being spent; 6,000 temporary jobs have been created. The effort has had a positive effect and smoothed out sharp edges in the Khabarovsk Territory. We have allocated 12 million roubles in territorial funds, and are supporting small and medium-sized business.
Vladimir Putin: How much have you received from the federal budget for these purposes?
Vyacheslav Shport: 244 million. Now we are drafting a proposal for more, and we have understanding on the part of the Ministry concerned.
Vladimir Putin: The main thing is to have specific targets, something to spend the funds on.
Vyacheslav Shport: You are absolutely right. This and the additional decisions adopted on May 11, when you toured our two plants, produced their results. Shipbuilders got their money: 380 million roubles, as put down in the protocol. The money cleared the wage arrears, and the defence industry sector is now again in the black.
Vladimir Putin: You need to work.
Vyacheslav Shport: We need orders. What we discussed today. While things are going well in the aircraft industry, in shipbuilding it is, of course ... You have seen yards in Komsomolsk-on-Amur and Khabarovsk. The measures mentioned in the protocol are in the implementation stage, and will solve key problems.
Vladimir Putin: What's the outlook for healthcare? How are you preparing for the new academic year?
Vyacheslav Shport: As far as preparations for the new academic year are concerned, practically 60% of schools have been renovated and re-equipped. In other words, they are ready.
Vladimir Putin: How about fire safety?
Vyacheslav Shport: We have checked all institutions for fire safety. There were some problems. Today everything is all right, except in some places. By the start of the academic year, everything will be 100% ready; this question is a top priority for us and well under control.
In health services, everything is going well, with no problems. The Cardio-Vascular Surgery Centre we are now building under a federal programme will be commissioned before the year's end, as scheduled.
Vladimir Putin: In which month are you planning to finish the work?
Vyacheslav Shport: We are planning to finish by the end of October.
Vladimir Putin: How many beds will it have?
Vyacheslav Shport: Seventy beds, plus a few for children. It is going to be a world-class centre.
Vladimir Putin: Let us discuss it in more detail.
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