Subsidies for self-employment
The Chechen Ministry for Labour and Social Development has won a competition to implement a federal program aimed at easing tensions in the labour market. About 648 million roubles have been allotted from the federal budget to finance it. This year, more than 8000 people will be able to start their own businesses, after presenting business plans to local employment centers. Along with consultative support, citizens of the republic will receive subsidies estimated at 58,800 roubles.
Illegal subsoil use
State ecology experts of the Chechen governmental committee reveal evidence of unauthorized subsoil use. The experts point out that illegal use of Chechnya?s subsoil riches is widespread in the republic. The state geological control department and law-enforcement services should ban this practice, say the ecologists. The specialists state that geological control is not effective enough. Due to the lack of a legal basis, the department has to act under federal law, which is weak at taking into account local specifics.
Maize and beet are major crops
Farmers are getting ready for seeding spring-planted crops. The Agricultural Ministry of Chechnya announced that this year 85,322 hectares of farm fields will be seeded. The major crops for the next agricultural season will be maize and sugar beet. Farmers expect a good harvest, since 5000 hectares of the best farm fields were allotted for the seeding of beet.
State control is limited
In the period from the beginning of May of last year to the end of the year the local prosecutors office examined 73 applications by the state control services for permission to carry out unscheduled inspections of small and medium entrepreneurs. A positive response was made to 21 requests, another 52 requests for unscheduled inspections were denied, equal to 71.2 %. The prosecutors office has drawn up a plan of controlling activities for 2010, consisting of 3575 points, having excluded 920 other activities.
Tax service to detect tax-dodgers
The head of the Federal Tax Service of Chechnya said that citizens of the republic build private residences, shops, gas stations and other commercial facilities, but at the same time don't pay taxes. According to Islam Vazarhanov on-site tax inspections have shown that many property-holders don't have the right documentation and are not registered for tax purposes. On the back of this, commissions will be created in all municipalities of Chechnya to estimate taxation potential and legalize it.
Multipurpose agency
A multipurpose state budget agency "Agency of the Republic for innovation and investment policy" has been established in Chechnya, by order of the local government. The agency is aimed at providing state services, administration of state scientific, research and technological facilities, investment and innovative activities. The agency's remit will include the activities of the republic's research and technology centers, research schools and technology-sharing centers of the republic's computer network.
Additional social programs
The distribution of the budget finances for 2010 has been changed regarding the increase of expenditure in the social sphere, which will boost implementation of additional social programs in Chechnya. According to the Finance Minister of Chechnya, funds have been allotted for rewarding "best teachers", money will be awarded every month for class supervising, promotion of healthy lifestyles (including decreasing tobacco and alcohol consumption), development of first aid services, health promotion for children, accident prevention activities, and providing housing certificates.
Chechen projects in Cannes
The Republic of Chechnya has presented projects in Cannes at one of the biggest investment forums, ?MIPIM-2010?. The Chechen delegation presented more than 40 projects. The Economic Ministry of Chechnya told VK that factory construction projects in the high-tech industries, and projects in the energy, housing and public utilities spheres, with total investments estimated at 177 billion roubles, were brought to the attention of foreign investors. Top priority was given to developments on the right bank of the river Sundzhi, with total investments of 200 million euros. The project will continue another one aimed at developing central Grozny.
NCFD development strategy
The republican government is discussing proposals to develop the North Caucasus Federal District. Among the projects proposed by the Chechen Ministries were developments of the fuel and energy complex; road construction, aimed at improving the quality of the transport infrastructure, and development of all kinds of transportation. The republican Ministry for Tourism and Sport has pointed out the great significance of the construction of a new mountain complex on lake Kezenoi-Am, located in the Vedeno Region and a cable car system in the Itum-Kalinsk region, to boost the development of alpine ski sports. The total cost of the projects is estimated at 23 billion roubles. Moreover, a new regime of taxation for small and medium-size businesses, up to a full tax exemption for a period from 8 to 10 years, is proposed in Chechnya.
Timur Uzaev, Grozny
