Visiting session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) “Regions of Russia: new points of growth. Development Infrastructure" took place on December 10, in Chelyabinsk as part of the party project "Locomotives of Growth".
The event was organized by the Roscongress Foundation together with the Russian Export Center and the Agency for Strategic Initiatives. The session was the final event in 2018 aimed at expanding investment opportunities, developing the export potential of regions and promoting specific territories.
“New growth points” in Chelyabinsk aroused great interest among government officials and entrepreneurs in the region. The discussion participants included leading experts in the field of economics, business, public-private partnerships and investments, employees of public organizations and representatives of the media.
The central event of the business program was a plenary session, which was attended by: Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Vadim Zhivulin, Minister of Economic Development of the Chelyabinsk Region Sergei Smolnikov, Director of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum Alexey Valkov, Director for Regional Projects, Head of the Center for Attracting Investments in the Regions of the Russian Federation RDIF Alexander Malakh, General Director of the Ural High-Speed Railway Sergey Brevnov and partner at the international law firm Squire Patton Boggs Alexander Dolgov. The moderator was the executive director of the National PPP Center Maxim Tkachenko.
The meeting was also attended by: Vice-President of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of the Chelyabinsk Region (SPP) Mark Leyvikov, who spoke during the session, as well as the executive director of the SPP and the regional curator of the “Locomotives of Growth” direction of the United Russia party project Pavel Kiselev.
Participants in the plenary session discussed the process of creating institutions and mechanisms to support industrial development in Russian regions. During the discussion, issues of developing regional infrastructure and improving measures to support investors were considered.
The business program continued with the presentation session “Promising PPP projects in the region.” During the event, participants got acquainted with the stages of development of the public-private partnership system in the Chelyabinsk region at the present time.
Vice President of SPP Mark Leyvikov presented the successful implementation of the PPP project for the construction of the Gorny greenhouse complex (agricultural park). The investor is the company Agrocomplex Churilovo (Chelyabinsk). The total area of the greenhouses will be 25 hectares. In addition, it is planned to build a logistics center with an area of 10 thousand square meters. m. and a complex of light greenhouses. 720 jobs will be created in the agricultural park. The annual revenue of the enterprise will be about 3 billion rubles. The total cost of the project is almost 7.5 billion rubles, of which 1.7 billion will go to infrastructure. The project is being implemented in the city of Ust-Katav, which has the status of a single-industry town, with financial support from the Russian Single-Industry Town Development Fund (MFD).
According to Pavel Kiselev, the speech aroused wide interest among the event participants, since “the Gorny agricultural park project is so far the only one implemented in the PPP format in the region.” The remaining presentations are at the “project hypothesis” level.
Summing up the results of the event in Chelyabinsk, Director of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum Alexey Valkov noted the importance of holding SPIEF visiting sessions in the regions: “ Over the three years of the existence of the “New Points of Growth” project, more than 15 events have already been organized in different regions of our country. We see great interest from both government officials and business circles. Free communication on current topics of cooperation and the format that we adhere to during SPIEF off-site sessions allow us to achieve maximum synergy among event participants. In June next year, we will be glad to see all the guests of our visiting sessions at the key event - the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, where we will be able to sum up the results and make plans for the future.".
The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum will take place in St. Petersburg on June 6–8, 2019. The SCO and BRICS summits will be held in July 2020 in Chelyabinsk.
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And this year’s SPIEF plenary session ended on this positive note.
We have many unifying agendas, Putin concludes. If we focus on them, then, “without any doubt, the world will change for the better.”
Putin talks about migrants and the problem of poverty. “If the socio-economic situation there continues as it is now, nothing will stop this flow of people, nothing will stop their desire for a better life.” We need to think about how to provide these people with a normal life.
We have a lot in common, says the president. For example, the fight against terrorism, the proliferation of nuclear weapons, that is, the presence of a common threat. “We need to understand what is happening and where it can lead us.”
Time for shared values. Putin remembered Dodon’s thesis that the world has ceased to be unipolar. “No, the American sits and commands everyone,” the president sneers.
They promise the last question! We've talked a lot about what divides us, so we have to end with what unites us, says Kelly. The final word was entrusted to the head of the host country of the event.
Kelly decided to finally talk about something closer to economics - the Silk Road. And bring Modi into the discussion. “India has been fighting cross-border terrorism for 40 years. For many years, many countries thought that this was a problem of individual countries, and only after 9/11 the whole world realized that this is an international problem,” Modi said. According to him, for 40 years the UN has had a resolution defining what terrorism is. “Everyone speaks against terrorism, but the project is not discussed. “I am glad that Putin publicly stated that this issue will be discussed at the UN.”
The political agenda inevitably overshadowed the economic one. Which was predictable. Participants in the Russia-US business dialogue, which took place before the plenary session, also spoke about the need to strengthen political stability in Russia and in the world. One of the businessmen even expressed that he was not going to leave Russia and was ready to continue investing in Russian projects, but on the condition that there was “serious political will” and a desire to soften the political confrontation.
The American journalist stubbornly refuses to change the topic. Putin reiterates that Russia does not deny the use of sarin. However, the question is: who struck? “Assad did not use it,” the entire video is a provocation, the Russian President believes. It could have been deliberately used by someone to accuse the President of Syria. “What is incomprehensible here? I think this is absolutely clear."
Why Russia sent the military to Syria: according to intelligence services, 4 thousand Russians are in Syria and another 5 thousand are from the CIS countries. “This is a real threat for us,” Putin said. “We started the operation in Syria because we understood where things were going.”
“Has Assad made mistakes? Yes, probably a lot. And those who oppose him are angels, or what?”
About Assad: “Do you believe that Assad is an evil person?” Putin recalls that Assad was more often in Europe than in Russia after he was elected. Russia is not defending Bashar al-Assad, but Syrian statehood. Amid discussions of politics, businessmen and economists in the hall again reached for the exit.
They really started talking about politics - about Syria and the Minsk agreements. About Donbass: Russia cannot fulfill the Minsk agreements, but it can assist. At the same time, Putin emphasized that the Kyiv authorities are doing “everything not to do better.” “They say they’re shooting there, but it’s unclear who,” he added. He recalled that the radicals blocked the movement of goods, and Poroshenko shot in the air, but could not do anything, and then by an official decision he joined the blockade, while the 8th point in the Minsk agreements was to lift the blockade.
Let's live in peace. Kern about sanctions: “We lost approximately 0.3% of our GDP from sanctions. It's a lot. We all need cooperation."
Question about sanctions. “I had to use my brains, and not just petrodollars,” Putin replied. He admitted that there is nothing good for us from sanctions. “Rumors of my death are somewhat exaggerated,” he quoted Mark Twain.
“I just didn’t even know anything about it: who they met with, what they talked about - just general words. Nothing specific. They just talked about how we should build our relationships. It's just hysteria. We need to stop. We need to give this lady a pill. Does anyone have a pill?" - the president is worried.
Lavrov censored. “I saw what was happening. It was a big surprise for me. They talk such nonsense - where do people who spread such information come from? Our ambassador met with someone. This is his job. What should he do? Its' his job. And he is accused of meeting someone there. Are you completely crazy? - The president is on a roll today.
Putin's emotional remarks regarding the alleged interference of Russian hackers in US politics brought part of the departed audience back into the hall. Putin's spat with Kelly is even more interesting to watch than her war with Trump.
“Pre-ra-ti-te,” Putin summed up.
Love is. Regarding the interference: “You should see what your colleagues are doing with us: they have climbed into our politics with their feet, dangling their legs and chewing gum.” “Finish it,” Putin said, “and it will become easier for you, and for us.”
Master Class. Trump’s least favorite journalist today asks Putin almost exclusively about America. In response, the Russian president is trying to teach the basics of political propaganda.
The other team miscalculated, they don’t want to admit the mistake, that they “didn’t catch up.” It’s easier to say that Russia is to blame and interfered in the elections. “It reminds me of anti-Semitism. That the idiot himself can’t do anything, so the Jews are to blame.” Sergei Ivanov bursts into laughter.
This turned out to be the problem. And during the election campaign, Trump’s team simply turned out to be more effective than its competitors. “I myself sometimes thought that sometimes the guy goes too far, honestly, it’s true,” Putin described Trump. The audience is supportive.
“This is not proof. This is an attempt to shift from a sick head to a healthy one, and the problem is not with us. The problem is within American politics,” Putin concludes.
These specialists can set anyone up. “They will make it look like it was sent from your home address, that it was sent by your children, your youngest child is three years old. They will make it so that it was your three-year-old girl who committed the attack.” There are such specialists in the world today in the field of these technologies that they will come up with anything for you and blame anyone.
Kelly grills the Russian president about Russian hackers and “evidence” of their guilt. “Hoof prints, horn prints, tell me, whose prints are these? You can even come up with IP addresses, do you know how many such specialists there are?” - asks Putin. Really, what is your evidence?
Stirlitz. “As in one organization where I used to work, they said: names, passwords, addresses, appearances. Give us last names - where is everyone?” - Putin presses.
Megyn asked Putin a question about Russian interference in the American elections. Putin again asked the presenter if she had read the report. “Only the official public version,” she replied. “That is, none,” the president concluded. Then he remembered one of the speeches of the satirist Arkady Raikin about a suit. “The suit is well made - good, the buttons are well sewn - good, but wearing a suit is impossible. It happens? It happens,” Putin said. “I read these reports - there is nothing concrete there, there are only assumptions and conclusions based on these assumptions.”
Dodon said that in its current form Molavia will never be able to become a member of the EU, since there is a dissenting Transnistria. He said that without the Russian Federation, Moldova will never solve its complex internal problems, including Transnistria.
Kelly asks Modi to talk about relations with Russia. Today the world is interconnected, the Prime Minister replies. Every country in the world has a couple of friendly issues and a couple of controversial issues with others. But cooperation is here to stay. Tomorrow India will sign a 24-page declaration with Russia, everything will be said there, “the whole world will read every word.”
We can’t speak for the way of thinking of Western officials, but the audience in the hall pulled out.
Putin said that many representatives of the American continent who came to the conference of the Russian Ministry of Defense admitted on the sidelines that they were dissuaded from going - both in Washington and in Brussels. “Well, whoever does this, what place does he think?” - Putin said
The states demand that their allies increase spending and at the same time say that they will not attack anyone. And again the question: why? This approach cannot but worry Russia, says GDP. The lack of cooperation tools is bad; there is no opportunity to work constructively on the current agenda.
“I have already asked myself this question many times and raised it publicly. NATO was created as a Cold War tool in the fight against the USSR and the so-called Warsaw Pact. Now there is no longer either the Warsaw Pact or the Soviet Union, but NATO exists. The question arises: why?” The only answer is an instrument of US influence, Putin concluded.
“Are they helping Russia? In the sense that NATO could fall apart? Then they will help."
Traditional question about NATO. Megyn asks: Are the squabbles over NATO helping Russia? Vladimir Vladimirovich answers a question with a question.
Indeed, it has gotten warmer. “Don't worry, be happy,” Putin wished everyone present
“Have you read the Paris Agreements (on climate change) yourself? - Putin asks the presenter and immediately answers: “No, I see, they didn’t read it.” He continued: “The Paris agreements are a good, correct document aimed at one of the main problems of today - global climate change.” Putin said that now the bad weather in Moscow and St. Petersburg can be blamed on Trump and American imperialism. We have long suspected.
Kelly asks Modi about climate change. Will it be criminal to ignore climate change? For some reason Modi talks about the Vedas and milking milk. Three days ago, the Prime Minister noted, in Germany he said that, with or without the Paris Agreement, India is convinced that we cannot take away nature and fresh air from future generations.
Putin defends Trump and suggests “not making noise” about the Paris Agreement, from which US President Donald Trump withdrew last night. “We need to create some work on this issue in a constructive manner,” the president said, noting, however, that there was no need to leave the Paris agreements because they are of a framework nature.
Dodon was brief. A series of questions and answers began.
“It is important to move away from globalization, in which Moldova has no place. They will simply grind us into powder,” warns Dodon.
“When the paths are unequal, they do not make plans together,” Dodon quoted Confucius. And then he added another quote: “It was smooth on paper, but they forgot about the ravines, and we had to walk along them,” Dodon said about the disappointing results of the last years of Moldovan European integration. He also noted that the country had lost two-thirds of Russian exports, and foreign investment in the country's economy had decreased several times.
The visit of Moldovan President Igor Dodon takes place against the backdrop of an escalating conflict in his country between pro-European and pro-Russian movements. Passions do not subside after the parliament's decision to expel five Russian diplomats from the country. In the morning, opposition supporters staged a rally near the office of the ruling Democratic Party. “Hundreds of thousands of our migrants, as well as the export of Moldovan products to the Russian Federation, may suffer from this fight against the mythical “Russian tanks,” one of the leaders of the opposition “Our Party” Dmitry Chubashenko told reporters. Russian Foreign Ministry representative Maria Zakharova has already compared Moldova with the United States, which on New Year’s Eve declared 35 Russian diplomats persona non grata.
Head of Moldova Igor Dodon takes the floor
Kern is hinting that Trump, who announced his withdrawal from the Paris Agreement the day before, is wrong. Everyone needs to fight climate change together, including American workers.
The policy of closing borders is wrong, says Kern. What about terrorism and security? The fight against terrorism will only be successful if we look for every opportunity for cooperation between the EU and Russia.
When Kern said that in all countries unemployment is decreasing and the economy is growing, the camera snatched Olga Golodets, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs, from the hall, who for some reason was hiding her eyes.
But everything will be okay. Rumors, to quote the classics, of the death of Europe have been greatly exaggerated, Kern said. A values-based Europe will lead to a process of reform that will help Europe and the EU take control of their destiny.
On the broadcast, during Kern's words that some countries had decided to leave the EU, a characteristic sound was heard, similar to a knock on a door. Coincidence?
“Europe faces serious challenges. The UK's exit from the EU has created a completely new situation for us. For years we thought that Europe was driven only by integration and only by improving cooperation between countries. But now we see that more and more people in Europe do not believe in this, and some of them have decided to leave the EU.”
It is necessary that society is not divided into winners and losers. Such a society would be unstable, Kern notes. To ensure social balance, it is necessary to create prosperity, which, in turn, is only possible with the full interaction and cooperation of countries. Thus, Kern argues for the benefit of European integration. “This is maximum economic openness. We are convinced that economic openness is a prerequisite for political openness,” he said.
Kern talks about social balance; it is impossible, he says, to allow 1% of people to have what 99% of the rest collectively have.
Along with a huge number of new opportunities, they also bring threats to some people and cause negative thoughts among the European middle class.
The second driving force: the development of technology, robotization there, digitalization, medical developments. Third: climate change.
Globalization has led to a decrease in infant mortality and an increase in human life expectancy
What is driving the “incredible” changes in the world? asks Federal Chancellor Christian Kern. Firstly, globalization. It has brought “tremendous progress” over the past 25 years. “The number of people living in poverty has dropped sharply. Previously, there were 40% of people living on $1 a day, but now it’s 10%.”
The Chancellor of Austria takes the floor.
Meanwhile, Russia and India intend to develop cooperation not only in the oil industry, agriculture and the military-industrial complex, but also to make films together. The corresponding agreement was approved today by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. “The signing of the agreement will expand the distribution capabilities of Russian-Indian films, will contribute to the development of Russian film production, and strengthen cultural ties between Russia and India,” the Russian Cabinet of Ministers is confident.
But this is not surprising. “There are no people in Russia who don’t know Bollywood,” Modi says, recalling famous Indian actors like Raj Kapoor. Hey-ho! Everybody dance!
There is a feeling that the entire event and, in general, the entire forum is dedicated to India.
Some statistics In 2016, Russian-Indian trade turnover amounted to $7.7 billion, decreasing by 1.6% compared to 2015, while Russian exports to India amounted to $5.3 billion (-4.7% ), imports - 2.4 billion US dollars (+6.2%). In the first quarter of 2017, the volume of Russian-Indian trade turnover increased by almost 30%, to $1.955 billion. Russia exports pearls, precious stones, machinery, equipment, vehicles, chemical products, rubber, mineral products, wood and pulp to India. paper products, footwear and textiles. Over the three quarters of last year, India, according to the Central Bank, invested $19 million in the Russian economy, direct investments from Russia to India amounted to $17 million.
Modi captured the attention of the room. In this regard, I remember how last year the forum participants were captivated by the speech of the then Prime Minister of Italy, Mateo Renzi. He was applauded as he spoke. And at the end there was a standing ovation. True, now he is no longer prime minister, but he will not disappear. He will return to St. Petersburg, to the forum.
But in general the speech is impressive, with theatrical pauses. Modi says that as part of the tax reform in India, all states in the country will have a uniform tax system. Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov at the Sberbank breakfast today also spoke about the need for tax reform.
Modi speaks slowly. With difficulties. Maybe acclimatization is difficult? It’s +6 in St. Petersburg, it’s been raining, hailing, and snowing for two days in a row.
Posted by Sam (@mrss__clumsiness) Jun 2, 2017 at 12:22 PDT
The Indian Prime Minister boasts of 7% GDP growth. One could learn about the high dynamics of the country even before this speech - the entire Expoforum was covered with corresponding posters. “We are moving forward,” the politician assured.
The Indian media wrote about the meeting between Putin and Modi in a positive way
"During the talks, Putin said India is the only country with which Russia has 'close cooperation' in areas such as missiles." (Hindustan Times)
“The strategic objective of the meeting between Putin and Modi at the summit is the development of what was previously perceived as a “special relationship.” There is no doubt that when Moscow was the capital of the USSR, this relationship meant a lot to India. It was a mutually beneficial relationship, and the USSR also contributed to the development of relations with India in the second half of the Cold War, when the US and China embarked on a strategic rapprochement.” (Daily News and Analysis India)
The partnership between Russia and India is at a particularly privileged level. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is considered perhaps the main guest of SPIEF. He himself spoke warmly about St. Petersburg; he was here for the first time 16 years ago, at the dawn of his diplomatic career, and met with Putin.
President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin spoke at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-2017) with the participation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Federal Chancellor of Austria Christian Kern and President of Moldova Igor Dodon. The heads of state discussed various aspects of the Russian and world economy, as well as the most important geopolitical issues. The moderator of the meeting was the presenter of the American television channel NBC Megyn Kelly.
The work of SPIEF 2017, like any major economic forum, is based on various discussions during business breakfasts, panel sessions, round tables and other debate formats; many different contracts and agreements are concluded at the forum.
However, the speech of the Russian President at the SPIEF plenary session is traditionally a key part of the forum, setting the further agenda, plans for the country’s development, assessments of what is happening in Russia and in the world for representatives of business and government (both Russia and other countries).
In Vladimir Putin’s speech at SPIEF 2017, held under the motto “Seeking balance in the global economy,” the main emphasis was on the more active use of digital technologies in the Russian economy. The President noted that in Russia it is necessary to form a fundamentally new regulatory framework for the introduction of digital technologies in all spheres of life.
Vladimir Putin also stated that Russia intends to several-fold increase the production of specialists in the field of the digital economy and increase digital literacy in the country: “In essence, we have to solve a broader task, a task at the national level - universal digital literacy.”
The President also stated that the Russian economy is entering a new phase of growth; at the moment, investments in Russia are growing at a faster pace than the country's GDP. He, in particular, noted: “We need to support and accelerate all these positive trends in order to reach faster rates of economic growth, higher than the world’s, already at the turn of 2019-2020.”
It is worth noting that during the discussion at the plenary session, many questions were devoted to geopolitics, which in fact also became part of the SPIEF. Invited moderators representing foreign media, in the last few years, against the backdrop of worsening relations between Russia and Western countries, often continue to ask questions in line with anti-Russian rhetoric.
In addition to questions about the difficulties in relations between Russia and NATO, as well as accusations of Syrian President Assad of using chemical weapons, the current moderator of the plenary session, NBC anchor Megyn Kelly asked Vladimir Putin a number of recurring questions about “Russian interference in the US presidential election”:
Vladimir Putin: Dear ladies and gentlemen! Dear friends!
I am glad to welcome all participants of the XXI St. Petersburg Economic International Forum: heads of international organizations, heads of state, government representatives, business leaders from dozens of countries around the world.
We sincerely appreciate your interest in Russia and dialogue aimed at partnership. We are open to working together, implementing mutually beneficial projects, and cooperation in solving the most important strategic issues of global development.
Only together, by joining forces, can we overcome current imbalances and ensure sustainable growth of the world economy, develop fair rules of trade and fair competition, reduce poverty, solve pressing social problems, cope with threats such as terrorism, regional conflicts, the spread of ideas of nationalism and xenophobia .
We are not just standing on the threshold, but are already facing major, essentially civilizational challenges. The load on the planet's ecosystem is increasing both as a result of human actions and as a result of natural processes. These issues require in-depth study, research and analysis.
But it is obvious that when developing our policy and joint line of action, we must be responsible and consistent. This is the only way to implement the necessary decisions in the interests of harmonious global development.
I will add to this that new technologies are rapidly changing the usual way of life, forming new industries and professions, opening up fundamentally different opportunities for development, but also giving rise to new threats. I know that you all worked actively yesterday, meeting at various sessions and discussion platforms. All this has, of course, already sounded.
But I would like to repeat: we are facing systemic, long-term challenges, all the consequences of which are still difficult to even calculate and predict. And we should not, we do not have the right to waste our time and energy on squabbles, feuds, and geopolitical games.
We need wisdom and responsibility, a joint search for non-standard solutions, new formats for interaction between states, regional integration associations, business, and the scientific community.
It is necessary to make maximum use of the potential of such a unique, universal organization as the United Nations. We have the Secretary-General of the United Nations here. I know that he came to us, I want to thank him for this and ask him to greet him.
We propose to create a special international youth section at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, because it is the young generation that is heading into tomorrow. These are the people who will build the future and who will live in it. Participants in this section could together analyze, form, and construct an image of the future of their countries and civilization as a whole.
Dear Colleagues! Ladies and Gentlemen! Russia is already making and is ready to increase its contribution to solving global problems. We are implementing large-scale environmental programs, including in the Arctic, increasing the supply of quality food to world markets, and expanding participation in the programs of the World Health Organization. To find answers to big challenges, we are ready to more actively use the powerful potential of Russian fundamental science.
Thus, thanks to excellent schools in the field of mathematics and theoretical physics, we are able to achieve leadership in a number of areas of the so-called new economy, primarily digital. Russian IT companies are certainly globally competitive. Domestic specialists not only offer the best unique software solutions, but, in fact, create a new field of knowledge, a new environment for the development of the economy and life.
Taking this opportunity, I would like to congratulate, by the way, the students of the St. Petersburg University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics, who this year again, for the seventh time, won the World Programming Championship. Our presenter spoke about the people who live in St. Petersburg, she is right, it is true, these are worthy people, and the young residents of St. Petersburg confirm this in the best possible way.
And in order to increase our personnel, intellectual, and technological advantages in the digital economy, we intend to act in areas of systemic importance. What I mean?
First, it is necessary to create a fundamentally new, flexible regulatory framework for the introduction of digital technologies in all spheres of life. At the same time, all decisions must be made taking into account ensuring the information security of the state, business and citizens.
Secondly, the state will provide support to those companies that are carriers of developments and competencies in the field of digital technologies, which have a so-called end-to-end cross-industry effect. These are: processing and analysis of large data sets, artificial intelligence and neurotechnology, virtual and augmented reality technologies and a number of others.
Third, with the participation of the state and private business, we will create the supporting infrastructure of the digital economy, including secure communication lines and data processing centers. By the way, please note that this should be an infrastructure based on the most advanced technologies and developments.
Fourth, we intend to multiply the production of specialists in the field of the digital economy, but, in fact, we have to solve a broader task, a task at the national level - to achieve universal digital literacy. To do this, we must seriously improve the education system at all levels: from school to higher education institutions. And of course, develop training programs for people of all ages.
On my instructions, the Government has prepared a program for the development of the digital economy. I would like to draw your attention to the need to clearly define the sources, mechanisms and volumes of its financing. We will discuss all these issues at the next meeting of the Council for Strategic Development and Priority Projects.
Dear Colleagues! I repeat, the digital economy is not a separate industry, in fact, it is the basis that allows you to create qualitatively new models of business, trade, logistics, production, changes the format of education, healthcare, government, communications between people, and therefore sets a new paradigm for the development of the state , economy and society as a whole.
In this logic, we will build our economic and technological policies, industry, infrastructure, create an open, free business environment and a flexible labor market, and solve problems that will ensure long-term growth. We can already say that a new phase of recovery has begun in the economy.
Russia's GDP has been growing for the third quarter in a row. According to preliminary estimates, in April the increase was already 1.4 percent, car sales and the volume of mortgage loans are increasing. Why am I talking about this - because, experts know, experts all over the world consider these, precisely these, indicators to be important signs of economic revival and rising consumer demand.
So, for reference, we can say that in January-April 2017, car sales increased by 2.6%. Already today we have almost reached the inflation targets, we expect that by the end of the year it will be below the target, that is, below 4%. Thanks to this, the Bank of Russia is gradually reducing the interest rate.
By the way, during the meetings held on the sidelines of the forum, international investors and business representatives noted the high quality of Russian macroeconomic policy. Yesterday, my colleagues from around the world and representatives of the world’s largest investment funds spoke about this. For them, this is a powerful argument in favor of working on the Russian market.
At the end of the first quarter, the influx of foreign direct investment into the domestic, Russian economy amounted to seven billion dollars. I note that this is the best indicator for the corresponding period over the past three years. Overall, investments in the first quarter increased by 2.3%.
Is there a way that you would like to note and emphasize? Today, a situation is emerging where investment growth exceeds GDP growth - this is another evidence of what I have already said: the economy is entering a new phase of growth, and the basis for its future development is being formed. It is necessary to support and accelerate all these positive trends so that already at the turn of 2019-2020 we can reach faster rates of economic growth, higher than the world ones.
The key factor here is the increase in investment activity, primarily from private businesses. We have already done a lot to update federal legislation, to remove administrative barriers, and to optimize control and supervisory procedures and functions.
According to international experts, over five years Russia has demonstrated better dynamics in improving the business climate than other countries. We immediately moved up 80 positions on the well-known Doing Business scale.
It is important that our regions have already actively participated in the formation of an open and favorable business environment. Such examples today are shown by the Republic of Tatarstan, Chuvashia, the city of Moscow, Tula region, Kaluga region. This year they became leaders in the national investment climate rating. You can congratulate them. (Applause.)
A number of subjects of the Federation, such as the Moscow and Kaliningrad regions, St. Petersburg, have achieved a sharp qualitative improvement in the business environment. It is pleasant to note that for the first time, our Far Eastern regions - the Khabarovsk Territory and the Amur Region - are among the leaders of changes, changes for the better. I appeal to all the heads of Russian regions: here we need to constantly increase our efforts, open up new opportunities for businesses to work successfully and freely.
The most important and fundamental importance for entrepreneurs and all citizens is the effective protection of their rights, their business, and their property. In this regard, I would like to say that a package of proposals to improve the judicial system has already been agreed upon. It was discussed and worked out with experts, with the leadership of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation.
We are talking about strengthening the independence of judges and improving the training of judicial personnel, optimizing the judicial process and reducing the unreasonable burden on judges. The point of all these measures is to create additional guarantees for fair, objective proceedings.
First. It is necessary to put the project financing mechanism on a solid systemic basis, to minimize risks for investors at all stages - from project preparation to their implementation, including through the partial provision of government guarantees, and so that funds from different types of investors can be attracted to projects: banks, investment companies , pension funds.
I ask the government and the Bank of Russia to speed up the passage in parliament of amendments to legislation that will make the syndicated loan mechanism more flexible. We just discussed this with our colleagues yesterday, quite late in the evening, and this, of course, needs to be done as quickly as possible. All this will ensure a significant increase in the volume of private financial resources allocated to launch new projects in the real sector of the economy.
Second. To ensure rapid economic growth, we need to significantly increase investments in transport, energy, communications, and other infrastructure. Private capital should become a source of additional investment. However, here too the high level of risks remains a limiting factor.
Therefore, it is important to establish clear, stable rules that protect the interests of investors. It is proposed that the return on their investments be made through regular payments that will come from the main beneficiaries, the beneficiaries of infrastructure facilities. These are budgets of different levels, infrastructure monopolies, and other infrastructure users.
The mechanism of government guarantees can also be used to ensure payments. That is, we are talking about introducing a kind of infrastructure mortgage, when an infrastructure facility is actually purchased with a loan received from private investors, and the user of the facility gradually repays this loan.
To launch such a model, I would ask the government to develop an integrated approach to infrastructure development with the involvement of private capital. It must cover all stages: preparation, financing and implementation of these projects.
Dear Colleagues! We are interested in investments coming specifically to high-tech industries. A few days ago, the promising Russian medium-range aircraft MS-21 made its first flight. I have already spoken on the phone with the management of the plant, I want to thank and congratulate everyone who participated in the implementation of this project.
Both in aviation and in other areas that are critical for the development of Russia, we need our own developments and competencies. They need to be restored or created anew. These are advanced production technologies and materials, energy and energy storage systems, transport and logistics management, information security systems, Arctic and shelf development technologies, modern diagnostic and treatment tools, agricultural and food technologies.
Obviously, we can untie these technological knots only by attracting large private investors who are interested in both new technological solutions and diversification of their own business. In order for them to be actively involved in such work, they certainly need to be provided with attractive, understandable conditions. This can be done using a special so-called investment contract. At the same time, I propose to think about how to improve this mechanism.
In principle, it works for us, but it needs to be improved. We need to make it an effective tool. For example, it is possible to increase the term of special investment contracts from the current 10 to 20 years, to provide for the possibility of flexible participation in them not only by federal authorities, regions and investors, but also by development institutions, banks, natural monopolies and other structures.
We are talking primarily about critical areas and critical industries. We are talking about where the investor himself, without the support of the state, without a clear and understandable system of support, is unlikely to come at all, because the benefits and profits from such projects do not come immediately, this is not quick money.
It is also necessary to expand guarantees of demand for products created within the framework of special investment contracts both from the state and from companies with state participation.
And one more thing is very important. For the entire duration of the contract, it is necessary to ensure that the investor remains unchanged in tax and other conditions related to government regulation. As for taxes, I propose to extend the already provided income tax benefit for the period after 2025.
I would like to emphasize that exclusively targeted solutions related to the creation of critical technologies, which I just mentioned, are exactly what we are talking about; they should not lead to the destruction of the competitive environment in the economy as a whole. I ask the Government to analyze all these issues and present specific proposals. At one of the upcoming meetings with business representatives, we will discuss in detail the directions of our joint work to solve the problems of technological development.
Further. Today, the carriers of breakthrough innovations are very often small companies - the so-called startups. As a rule, they are created by young research teams. I am confident that they are capable of becoming effective partners of large Russian businesses, and we will expand such partnerships and create the necessary infrastructure. We intend to begin the formation of innovative scientific and technological centers on the basis of our leading universities. Here, education, a research base, and high-tech and venture capital companies will be concentrated in one territory. All of them will be closely integrated with each other.
I appeal to the management of our largest companies - to the management of Rostec, Roscosmos, United Aviation Construction Corporation, United Shipbuilding Corporation, Rosatom, and other domestic high-tech companies - actively use the emerging opportunities.
We need to create divisions that will work substantively with startups and small innovative companies, as well as venture funds to finance such projects. I ask that this not remain just an empty phrase. I ask you to do this practically and as quickly as possible.
In turn, large businesses must have a clear legal mechanism for purchasing or entering into the capital of small innovative companies. I ask the government and the State Duma to prepare and adopt the necessary amendments to the law.
Dear friends! We are going through a difficult, contradictory, but very interesting period, full of new ideas, discoveries, projects, and rapid changes. And to meet the challenges of the time, perseverance and will are required, because this is participation in the creation of the future, and it has always been determined by daring, smart, purposeful, effective people. Those who are ready to translate their intellectual abilities and entrepreneurship into bold innovative ideas and deeds useful for the country.
It is precisely such people, including very young ones, who today achieve success in science, create modern businesses, and implement civic and social initiatives. Therefore, we will increase our human capital and, I am sure, we will be able to ensure sustainable long-term growth - a new quality of the Russian economy, we will be able to transform Russia, change the lives of our citizens for the better.
We have a lot of creative work ahead of us, and we invite everyone to partnership. I am convinced that it will be interesting and mutually beneficial.
Welcome to working together in Russia!
I thank you for your attention. Thanks a lot.
Megyn Kelly, a 46-year-old stunning blonde, previously worked for Fox News for 12 years and is now an anchor for NBC. At the end of May, she announced her new weekly show, “Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly.” Published on her microblog Twitter In the promotional video, she promises that viewers will "laugh and cry." In the first episode of the program, which will be released on June 4, Kelly plans to show an interview with Putin, recorded on the sidelines of SPIEF.
The theme of the digital economy ran like a red thread throughout the forum, including Putin’s keynote speech. First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov said at one of the sessions that the head of state was “sick” with this issue and even held meetings on it until late at night.
“The digital economy was first born as something that was the responsibility of Nikolai Anatolyevich (Nikiforov, head of the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications - ed.) and his smart colleagues. And today this, of course, is the task of everyone. And I can tell you that our president is a small group of government members "I just left at the beginning of one in the morning. And we discussed exclusively new technologies and the digital economy. And without embellishment, I can tell you that the president is completely sick of this and understands that this gap and significant growth rates are based on the digital economy and technological leadership," Shuvalov reported.
The plenary meeting of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum was held for the most part in a serious and business-like atmosphere, but there was also some sarcasm. Russian President Vladimir Putin succinctly greeted the assembled forum participants:
"At ease!"
When the conversation turned to the US withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement, Vladimir Putin noted that there was a chill in Russia from Trump and American imperialism:
"Trump and American imperialism are so cold"
"The question is whether we are able to prevent climate change. What are we talking about there? About preventing the temperature from rising by two degrees. Somehow, we here do not yet feel that the temperature is rising much. But, by the way, we must be grateful to President Trump. Today in Moscow, they say, there was even snow, here it was raining, it was so cold.
Now you can blame everything on him and American imperialism, that it’s all their fault. But we won't do this. ".
The moderator of the meeting, NBC presenter Megyn Kelly, learned that she would also be entitled to maternity capital if she were a Russian citizen:
“And you would have been paid the family capital” [To NBC Moderator]
“We have a lot of such instruments, for example, supporting families with low incomes in paying housing and utility bills - these are, at first glance, boring things, but they are very important for people - this is the so-called maternity capital, which we pay to families with two or more children. I know you have three of them. If you were a Russian citizen, we would pay you the family capital too."
Shortly after this, a representative of the American media began asking Vladimir Putin whether Russia interfered in the US presidential election or not. "Are the pockets sewn on? What about the buttons?"
V. Putin: Have you read these reports? M. Kelly: I read the public, public version, which is not classified.
V. Putin: The public, public version, that is, none. “Who made the suit? - Are the pockets sewn well? - Fine. - Are the buttons okay? - Fine. - Any complaints about the buttons? - No, they are sewn tightly. But it’s impossible to wear a suit.” It happens? One of our satirists Arkady Isaakovich Raikin had it.
The question of the “Russian trace” arose again and again. Vladimir Putin asked whether the United States has real evidence of Russia's accusations, and not conclusions made based on assumptions. “Addresses, appearances, names” - I used to work in the same organization
“And now you also tell me: “Public version.” I read these reports. Even in these reports there is nothing concrete, there are only assumptions and conclusions based on assumptions. That’s it! You know, if something is concrete, then there will be a subject for discussion. As in one organization where I used to work, they said: “Addresses, appearances, last names.” Come on, where is all this?”
The President of Russia noted that at the current stage of technology development, cyber attacks can be carried out under the guise of other IP addresses.
Portal “Vesti. Economics,” previously noted information about similar actions by the US CIA, which was published by Wikileaks.
"Hoof prints, horns. Whose prints are these?" M. Kelly: That is, one of the reasons why the question is relevant is because the Americans believe that they have their own national sovereignty to consider this issue in this way, just like the United Kingdom, France, Germany. And this question comes up again and again. They say, in response to the question where is the evidence, that this is disinformation, the disinformation campaign was deliberately launched. And it is said that it is difficult to find evidence in this campaign. And experts say that these factors cannot be made up. There are hundreds of facts against Russia: there are IP addresses, fingerprints, some kind of codes - all this points to Russia, and no other evidence points to anyone else except Russia.
V. Putin: What fingerprints? Hoof prints, horns. Whose prints are these? IP addresses - you can actually make them up. Do you know how many such specialists there are? They will make it so that it is from your home address, your children sent it, your youngest child is three years old, so they will organize everything that it was your three-year-old girl who carried out this attack. There are such specialists in the world today in the field of these technologies that they will come up with anything for you, and then blame anyone.
Vladimir Putin also paid tribute to the effectiveness of the presidential campaign of Donald Trump, who managed to find a common language with American voters:
“Trump is a man” (“Sometimes I thought: a man is going through too much, honestly”)
“Trump’s team turned out to be more effective during the election campaign. I myself sometimes thought: the guy is going too far, honestly. It’s true! But it turned out that he was right, that he found an approach to those groups of the population and to those groups of voters who he made a bid and they came and voted for him.
At the same time, Vladimir Putin also noted that the logic of representatives of the US Democratic Party, whose candidate lost the presidential election, does not stand up to criticism. The president said that it is easier for Democrats to blame the Russians than to admit their mistakes.
“He’s an idiot himself, he can’t do anything, and the Jews are to blame!”
“And the other team miscalculated. I don’t want to admit this mistake. I don’t want to say that it’s us who are like that, sorry, we didn’t catch up with something, didn’t think through something. It’s easier to say that we’re not to blame, it’s the Russians who are to blame, they interfered in our elections, and we are good. This anti-Semitism reminds me: the Jews are to blame for everything. He himself is an idiot, he can’t do anything, and the Jews are to blame!”
In response to another statement by Megyn Kelly that Russia allegedly interfered in the American elections, Vladimir Putin said that the US authorities have long been using soft power against Russia, interfering in its internal affairs. “They sat on our heads, dangled our legs and chewed gum.”
M. Kelly: Yes, I think he said, “I think Russia did it, but I don’t think it will do it again.” V. Putin: That’s what she thinks! Listen, these are very serious issues of world politics, but it seems to you. It’s not just about conducting an interview or writing an article in a newspaper.
As for interference, you should look at what your colleagues are doing with us. Yes, they just got into our internal politics with their feet, sat on our heads, dangled our legs and chewed gum. Just having fun! This is a systematic, over many years, rude, absolutely unceremonious, including even at the level of diplomatic departments, interference directly into our internal politics! Finish it, and it will become easier for you, and for us.
Excessive fixation on the “Russian trace” in the US presidential campaign on the part of the moderator of the plenary session led to several more responses from Vladimir Putin
“Here it is!”
M. Kelly: Even President Trump said that he believes Russia is behind this. That is, these are not those who do not want Trump to lead the country...
V. Putin: Here it is. "Give me some pill"
“What, you don’t need to think about how to build relationships? Do everything out of the blue, generally thoughtlessly, or what? Nothing concrete, just zero, zero, nothing at all. Surprisingly simple. It’s just some kind of hysteria, and you can’t stop. I need to give you some kind of pill. Does anyone have a pill? Give me some kind of pill. (Laughter.) Honestly, it’s just amazing."
