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Rapid development territories should boost Russia's high-tech potential - Medvedev

Medvedev has praised the country’s ruling United Russia party as a prop for the government’s policy

MOSCOW, September 08, /ITAR-TASS/. Rapid development territories should boost Russia’s high-tech potential, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said.

“It could be anything that develops our technological potential,” Medvedev said in an interview with the Vedomosti business daily.

The establishment of rapid development territories, he said, envisions special tax regimes and other impetuses for development of industry.

“This bill is being drafted first and foremost for the Far East, but will later be used everywhere. This is a somewhat different regime than the regime of free trade or special economic zone,” the head of government said, adding that the law is nearly ready.

The draft law on rapid development territories stipulates a number of benefits for future investors, including shortened terms of checks and expert examinations, simplification of customs and other procedures, reduced rent rates etc. Tax impetuses include five-year tax holidays for corporate income tax, property, mineral extraction and land taxes.

Medvedev has praised the country’s ruling United Russia party as a prop for the government’s policy.

“The government is coming to the [State] Duma with a heavy budget, and in such a situation it needs a prop. This is United Russia,” Medvedev said in an interview with the Vedomosti business daily when asked about his leadership in the party.

“In order to achieve something in politics, people ready to support and implement your course are needed,” he said. The premier added that at the same time “the parliament and party are not a structure to serve the interests of the government.”

“Together with United Russia, we bear responsibility for the country’s economic and social-political course. This is the main thing for me as the head of government and party leader,” Medvedev said.

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