Economy is Dagestan’s major problem – President Magomedov

There are many unsolved problems in the Dagestan and the most pressing is the Russian republic’s economy, Dagestani President Magomedsalam Magomedov told the “Russia 24” TV channel.

He also said that the first steps in overcoming the difficulties had already been taken.

“A new system of executive authority has been formed. A new government has been formed. We are trying to optimize its structure,” he said.

“We have reduced the number of ministries and abolished some unnecessary departments,” he added.

He also said that “competent and professional” people with experience of both state service and of work in commercial structures had been brought into the government.

“From my point of view, such a combination is optimal. And this is the team – a team of professionals, of responsible people – that can solve the republic’s problems,” Magomedov stressed.

 “There are a lot of unsolved problems,” he went on. “The most daunting problem is a weak, subsidized economy. Its structure is today very primitive.”

“Today Dagestan is a mainly agrarian republic. That means that the industrial structure of our economy isn’t developing. We have a high level of corruption, and high unemployment, especially among the youth. And in addition to this there is our social-political situation. This is a set of very serious issues,” he said.

“Conditions for normal life and normal business should be created in Dagestan. It’s necessary for Dagestan to become not only attractive for investment but in general for all Russians,” Magomedov emphasized, adding that the republic needed to shed its “dangerous” image.