MOSCOW, January 19 (Itar-Tass) —— Russians in the coming months will have to choose a way for the country’s development – new industrialization and post-industrial society, presidential aide Arkady Dvorkovich told the Gaidar Forum on Thursday.
“These are two different paths for the country’s development and different economic policies,” he said. “The trend will be different, and we shall have to choose between the two in the coming months.”
These days, he said, active debates were on over what option is to be chosen.
“Some call for new industrialization, and others for a post-industrial society,” he said. As a rule, they are presented as conflicting alternatives.
“This discussion will last for several months. I do not know what the outcome will be. I do not know what solution will be made by those who will emerge the winners in the elections,” Dvorkovich said. “They are two different types of policies, and the choice to be made will be fundamental, indeed.”
As the presidential aide said, the entire investment climate will depend on the yet-to-be chosen direction. In case of new industrialization good conditions should be created for major companies, more state property preserved, than privatized, and the strength of the development institutions built up. Under that scenario the openness of the economy and taxes are not so important. In case of the other choice the freedom of enterprises will have to be developed and greater reliance made on the small and medium businesses and low inflation preserved.
“In reality this will have to be combined somehow, there are no ideal patterns,” Dvorkovich said. “I believe that this open type - open and competitive – is more interesting that the industrial type of development, which some of my colleagues are calling for.”