MOSCOW, December 7. /TASS/. Investments within Russia are growing and conditions are being created for future development in the medium term, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the VTB Investment Forum "Russia Calling!".

He recalled that in the Q2 of 2023, investments in fixed capital increased by 12.6%, and in the Q3 - by 13.3%. "Investments are growing. This means that conditions are being created for future development in the medium term. It is necessary to support growing business activity and ensure the availability of financial resources for businesses in those areas that cover the needs of the domestic market and export demand," Putin said.

Putin stated that expanding contacts with countries in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Latin America give up fresh potential for the Russian economy in nearly any business. According to the president, the number of domestic light industry enterprises has expanded by 80% in a year and a half, furniture producers - by 30%, and children's toys - by 20%. Furthermore, the number of trademarks owned by Russian corporations has climbed by more than a third in the last year and a half.

Putin stated that disagreements over the Bank of Russia’s key rate occur on a regular basis, but economic statistics indicate that the country's financial and economic policies are on track. "The most important thing is that conditions are created for an effective structural transformation of our economy to increase labor productivity and increase people’s incomes and quality of life," he said.