The President of Russia Vladimir Putin had resumed the meetings of the economic Council Presidium. In the Kremlin gathered the Ministers of the economic block of the government, several Vice-premiers, heads of some regions, leading economists, head of the accounting chamber and the Central Bank, assistants and advisers to the President. The Council’s goal is to develop economic policy until 2025, to determine the basic factors of economic growth and social development. At the first meeting were not assignments, it was a kind of brainstorming.
It is expected to hold a series of discussions on the new look of the social sphere, health, education, housing reform, improving the business climate, improving public administration and economic development. The head of state noted that the may 2012 presidential Executive orders have formed the direction of the country for a certain period, but, as said Vladimir Putin, you need to look beyond the horizon. This time discussing the search for the sources of economic growth.
— The current dynamics shows that the reserves and resources in the early 2000s, moved our economy forward, are not working as before. And more than once I talked about this, I want to stress, by itself, economic growth does not resume. If we don’t find new sources of growth, then GDP growth will be somewhere around the zero mark. Then our opportunities in the social sphere, in the field of national defense and security, other tasks will be significantly below what we need for the full development of the country, to move forward, the President said.
The meeting was attended by people with different views about the economy. It was staring me in the eye. At one big table sat the ex-Minister of Finance Alexey Kudrin, and presidential adviser Sergei Glazyev. The last rating sometimes so radical that the press Secretary of the President Dmitry Peskov has clarification: Glazyev do not necessarily reflect the position of the presidential administration.
— The Bureau includes people with different views. On some issues of socio-economic development of the country they adhere to sometimes diametrically opposed points of view. But this is the advantage of using our work, which allows to argue, and talk, and discuss alternative approaches, to look at problems from different angles. I think you’ll agree that there is no monopoly on the truth in economic discussions should not be. I ask everyone during our meetings possible to get away from ideological preferences, not confined within the framework of certain theoretical concepts and constructs, and to be guided by pragmatic approaches, focus on developing realistic and objective decisions, — said the head of state.
The first came after the meeting of the people, protecting the interests of the business community. The President of “OPORA Russia” Alexander Kalinin said that he is very pleased that at the first meeting talked a lot about supporting entrepreneurship. Ombudsman for entrepreneurs Boris Titov was also in a good mood.
All right, all right, ” he said. — We said that you need to quickly create the conditions for small and medium business developed, talked about reducing rate of the Central Bank, said of the high taxes and administrative pressure. We need institutional reform, the need for medium-term reforms. All (proposed) went to the Bank understanding of the problems.
Later, reporters approached Alexei Kudrin, Sergey Glazyev and the Minister of economic development Alexei Ulyukayev. The last officers of the Protocol quickly led to a meeting of Vladimir Putin with French businessmen. Kudrin has assured that he has with the head of the Ministry of economic development with a different view of the sources of economic growth: investment and improving productivity. The ex-Minister at the meeting raised the issue of political risks that deter investment and activity of Russian businessmen.
— State institutions and the quality of their work can only generate the growth we are seeing. While we are not going to work effectively, do not get economic growth, — said Alexei Kudrin.
He also raised the issue of raising the retirement age. But Vladimir Putin did not respond to this remark.
According to Kudrin, in his concluding remarks the President stated that it was interesting to hear different interpretations and approaches to solving problems.
Sergei Glazyev predictably criticized the position of Alexei Kudrin.
— Kudrin said banal things referred to 20 years: the first year you need to tighten the belt, the second will be a small increase, and only on the third alive. It is wandering in the three years we have stretching from the 1990s. Attempts to ensure the growth of the economy words do not have success. Need technical progress. The interest on the loan — a tax on innovation. Need long term loans, — says adviser to the President.
Economic the Council will be working a year and a half. In addition to meetings with the President, it is planned to organize meetings of the working groups, the results of which will be reports to the head of state.
