Government meeting

The agenda: on fulfilling the state programme for the development of agriculture, incentivising investment into the real economy, budgetary funding for overhauling housing in flood-stricken regions.

Mikhail Mishustin's opening remarks:

Good afternoon, colleagues.

Before we discuss the agenda of the Government meeting, I would like to say a few words about our trip to Yekaterinburg where we visited the largest International Industrial Exhibition/Fair INNOPROM.

The heads of government from all countries, members of the Eurasian Economic Union, specifically, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, took part in its work.

During bilateral meetings, we and our colleagues reviewed in details ircraft all the main cooperation issues, within the framework of guidelines and objectives, set by the heads of our states. First of all, we discussed issues linked with industrial cooperation.

I am confident that our talks will lead to additional agreements that will help expand cooperation in the field of industry, the machine-building sector and cutting-edge technologies. And, of course, they will strengthen our trade and economic collaboration and cooperation in the Eurasian region.

Our colleagues and we viewed various stands, analysed the most interesting ideas and advanced R&D projects which forge the future image of various sectors and help guarantee our industrial and technological sovereignty.

I would like to note once again that we are interested in implementing joint projects with all the concerned friendly states, including in such key sectors as the aircraft engineering, the automotive industry, pharmaceutics, microelectronics, machine-building, metallurgy and many others.

It is necessary to pool our efforts for strengthening national economies and thus boosting standards of living.

Let us now discuss the agenda. Today, we will examine the national report on fulfilling the state programme to support agriculture last year. The results of its implementation show that the agro-industrial sector continues to develop confidently, as confirmed by impressive production volumes of grain and vegetable oil, meat and fish, sugar and potatoes which exceed projected targets. We harvested record-breaking amounts of grain and leguminous crops, fruits and berries and oil-bearing plants. This is also important for ensuring the country's food security.

The President noted that genuine sovereignty means effectiveness; it is necessary to work as actively as possible in all sectors and to obtain maximum possible results. Our agricultural producers utilise precisely these approaches.

Last year, we launched four federal projects in order to make the agro-industrial sector more resilient. All of them are needed to increase this economic sector's technological level. Consequently, we manufactured more veterinary vaccines, ferments, food and fodder additives. Forty-four new sorts of agricultural plants and their hybrids were included in the state register. We consistently increase the share of seeds of Russian selection.

Systematic efforts are also underway to strengthen the agricultural workforce. More than 16,000 school students in 67 regions of Russia are currently enrolled in specialised agricultural technology classes. Internship programmes have been established at agricultural enterprises for students from secondary vocational and higher education institutions. In addition, nearly 6,000 specialists and teachers have completed advanced training programmes, helping ensure that the next generation of agricultural professionals is equipped with the skills required by the sector.

Progress has also been made in a number of other areas, including support for small farms. The number of subsidy recipients for the development of family farms has increased, while in 25 regions veterans of the special military operation received grants to launch their own businesses.

Agricultural insurance coverage has expanded in the livestock sector, and advanced grain processing has continued to grow. Interest in rural tourism is also expanding, with more than 1.3 million people visiting agritourism destinations last year. Work in all of these areas will continue.

As for this year, harvesting has already begun in several regions. It is essential that agricultural producers have everything they need, including a reliable supply of fuel.

The President emphasised that every effort must be made to ensure strict compliance with seasonal fuel supply schedules for agricultural enterprises. I would ask the Ministry of Agriculture to keep this issue under close supervision.

Turning to another topic - support for investment in the real sector of the economy. The current status of this investment and prospects for the future were discussed during the INNOPROM International Industrial Exhibition in Yekaterinburg.

We are going to allocate an additional 2 billion roubles to replenish the capitalisation of the Industrial Development Fund. This funding will help ensure the timely financing of ongoing initiatives and projects, as well as increase the volume of concessional lending and expand the Fund's portfolio by at least five new promising projects.

The Fund's programmes currently support a wide range of industries, including transport engineering, radio electronics, the chemical and light industries, machine tool manufacturing, and several other sectors.

We expect that this additional government support will encourage greater investment in the creation and modernisation of high-tech manufacturing facilities across the Russian Federation. It will also contribute to achieving the national goals set by the President, particularly those related to strengthening the country's technological and industrial sovereignty.

A few words about support for the regions.

As you may recall, flooding caused by heavy rainfalls last spring inflicted significant damage on infrastructure in the Republic of Dagestan and the Chechen Republic.

A large number of residents in these regions suffered extensive property damage. Many of them lost their homes and possessions entirely.

Acting on the President's instruction, we immediately began providing the necessary assistance. Earlier, funds were allocated to the two republics, including for the construction and restoration of educational facilities such as kindergartens, schools, and colleges.

Today, we will consider further allocating more than 4.4 billion roubles. The greater volume of these funds will be used for major housing repairs, while the remainder will go for the purchase of new housing.

I ask the Ministry of Construction to ensure that the funding is promptly transferred to the regions.

It is essential for people to be able to restore their homes and property as quickly as possible and return to their normal lives.