MOSCOW, August 26. /TASS/. The economic growth rates of Russia’s Far Eastern region should double, Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev said in an interview with TASS.
"I think that 5% (growth) is the first result highlighting changes. But I don’t like this figure as I think the Far East can demonstrate higher growth rates. The growth rates have to be doubled," he said, adding that in the first half of 2016 the region’s annual industrial growth stood at 5%.
According to Trutnev, the region is substantially lagging behind other areas in terms of average growth, though "the progress is there."
"What has been done is only the start of a long way to go. It is necessary to continue taking a creative approach to searching new forms of supporting business, enhancing competitiveness, investment attractiveness and go ahead at the same pace, without taking breaks and focusing exclusively on the instruments that exist. If we this progress persists and we keep up for another five years it will be safe to say that the changes are irreversible."
The Deputy Prime Minister believes the expenses on the development of Russia’s Far Eastern region in 2017-2019 should remain at the level set in the adjusted state-run program.
"You are aware of the fact that a new development program has been adopted for the Far East, which contains the figure (of annual expenses) of 46.7 bln rubles. President has requested the government to consider the issue of additional financing of the state-run program when preparing the draft federal budget for 2017 and the planned period of 2018 and 2019."
As some media reported earlier the Finance Ministry has proposed a 20-fold reduction of expenses stipulated by the state-run program of development of the Far East and Baikal Region in the budget of the next three years.
Deputy PM Trutnev to propose development of Far East as pilot priority project
Russia’s government may consider the development of the Far East as one of pilot priority projects.
In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the creation of a Council on strategic development and priority projects to outline the key projects aimed at triggering structural changes in the economic and social spheres as well as at raising economic growth rates. The government also plans to create a project office for day-to-day management of key projects.
"We had questions regarding the government’s project office. We were asked which project may be selected for it. We can select the project named ‘Development of Far East’," Trutnev said.
The project-based approach implies team working for creating a unique product or service with predetermined success criteria. The result of this kind of work is set to change the environment or create a new added value. According to Trutnev, the development the Far East meets this goal.
"It has been made up based on the project principle. We can present results for next years and the factors behind them," he said.