MOSCOW, February 10. /TASS/. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has demanded that small and medium business companies should be given access to state procurements. Speaking at a meeting with the members of the cabinet he said: "It is necessary to continue and to ensure further access of small and medium businesses to these procurements."

The President summed up the results of public procurement campaign in 2015. "In general, the volume is very large, in 2015 - more than 8 trillion rubles ($103 bln)," - the head of state said.

In his turn Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev said that this amount exceeds 10% of GDP. According to him, the system of procurements comprises 500,000 suppliers and 330,000 federal and municipal customers, who place their orders through the system. The minister marked an increase in the number of market participants, despite the decline in economic activity in the country.

"Nearly 0.5 % of GDP that is the saving that was achieved thanks to the efficiency and transparency of public procurement," - the minister said.