GORKI, December 26. /ITAR-TASS/. President Vladimir Putin said in general, he was satisfied with the work of the government.
At the same time, the president said, “The government has unused reserves.”
“In general, I believe that it (the government) works well,” he said.
“I consider the results positive. But of course, the work can be much better,” Putin said.
“I repeat once more: I believe that the government has reserves and does not use its potential,” the president said.
“I want to note that the government’s efforts are more mobilized,” he said, adding “I’m very hopeful that all positive elements, which have been accumulated lately, will turn into concrete affairs.”
Commenting on the government’s work, the president said, “Despite the situation, which is not the best one for us, there is any progress.”
He referred to the situation in 1960-1970’s when “one said the catastrophe dropped from the skies — oil was produced in big volumes and the economy rested at ease. There was no need to work and think about innovation and develop at the expense of our own reserves and other factors”.
“Now we felt oil alone is insufficient. It is necessary to think about internal factors: to cut costs, improve the business climate and work on the infrastructure. It is necessary to reduce bank rates and much should be done: it is necessary to be opened to the society and to the business community,” he said.
“It is insufficient to create a structure of ‘open government’. The government itself should be so,” Putin said.