Dmitry Medvedev: “To boost every region, we have developed a set of measures that are meant to help regional authorities build a well-balanced model of economic development, learn how to reach a common ground with businessmen , as well as create a business climate that will attract investors and thus effectively accomplish the strategic goals of the state economic policy.”
Dmitry Medvedev’s opening address:
Good afternoon, colleagues. Let us discuss the efficiency of the tools for enhancing economic activities in the regions. Our colleagues, heads of Russian regions, are present. We are indeed in need of creating a healthy competitive environment, increasing the pace of economic growth and improving the investment climate. Generally speaking, all these goals are obvious but still very important.
To boost every region, we have developed a set of measures that are meant to help regional authorities build a well-balanced model of economic development, learn how to reach a common ground with businessmen (as everything is different in each region), as well as create a business climate that will attract investors and thus effectively accomplish the strategic goals of the state economic policy.
We have already achieved some results. According to annual average rates, 20 regions have leading positions, with some of them being represented in this conference room. In December 2013, the Government encouraged these 20 regions by allocating grants in amounts ranging from 243 to 325 million roubles. This is not a fantastic amount, but still these are considerable funds and regions were able to spend them toward achieving some goals that are essential for a specific region, including for budgetary purposes.
I would like to know whether we are achieving these goals, whether the incentives are working, and what should be done in those regions where they are not working.
Another important component of the assessment system is the regional investment standard. In 2013, we developed a flowchart, guidelines, and software for the standard. This mechanism is expected to finally be implemented this year. We have also seen the first positive results – the number of organisations tasked with working with investors has increased. There have been other results as well.
Using these new tools does not mean that we should give up on methods that have already proven to be effective and that are capable of improving working conditions for Russian entrepreneurs, for example reducing the number of steps required to connect facilities to infrastructure. This is a common problem, and I hope that both business ombudsmen and regional authorities will work to resolve it.
We are also developing a national ranking of business initiatives in order to improve the investment climate in regions. I hope that the ranking will be unveiled at one of our international forums.
Finally, the regions’ efforts to increase economic activity should not go unnoticed. To meet the goals outlined in the presidential address, the Government is developing proposals to reimburse regions for spending on infrastructure projects, including industrial and technology parks and business incubators. One method of reimbursement will be additional inter-budgetary transfers. I would like to understand how this will work and to hear the opinion of the Ministry of Finance on this issue.
So, this is the agenda. I would like you to comment briefly on the issues, as all of us have a lot to do today.