Russian Premier Vladimir Putin visited Chechnya yesterday. He imparted his best wishes to officers of the Gudermes FSB department on their professional holiday, the Day of Security Agency Workers. Putin conducted a session of the government commission on the socio-economic development of the NCFD. Putin said the region is important and sensitive; it has many problems, but by relying on talent and diligence of its residents a lot can be done. In fact, Putin’s speech was a program speech of a future president on the North Caucasus policy of Moscow.
On “Stop feeding the Caucasus!”
Let’s think what it means: “Stop feeding the Caucasus”? It means we shouldn’t invest in the development of the North Caucasus republics or establish new work places in the Caucasus. Then young people of the district would move to other regions of Russia more intensively, first of all to major cities in search of jobs. What should we do in this case? Evict them from there? And what’s next? Where would they go? They would recruit to militant groups. Guys from major cities would go to the Caucasus and fight against local guys, kill each other, the war will continue.
On Caucasus’ separation
Proposals for a separation of the North Caucasus from Russia are barbaric. I would like to draw the attention of those who propose it, that if it takes place, other forces will want to separate other ethnic-territorial entities of Russia. It means the end of Russia. An entire common tragedy, which will touch every citizen of our country. What’s the way out? There is only one way: we should develop the economies of the North Caucasus republics and establish new work places there.
On “Stop feeding Moscow!”
Moscow is a major self-sufficient region. It doesn’t need anyone to feed it. It will feed itself and help others. The necessary thing is fair allocation of the tax base, taxes. This particularly concerns our major infrastructural monopolies and major companies, which are working throughout the entire territory of the Russian Federation. The tax base, the center of income, is being formed in Moscow, and this is not right. Tax revenues, the taxation sources of regions and municipalities in Russia should increase, to allow them to fulfil their functions effectively.
On unemployment levels in the Caucasus
The unemployment rate in the North Caucasus is about 14.3% of the economically-active population. It is much higher than the general Russian rate. However, in some European countries this level is higher. In Greece the unemployment rate is 17.7%. At the same time the unemployment rate in Ingushetia is 48.9% in Chechnya – 27.2%. We understand that this is too much in the context of the pan-Russian unemployment rate (6.1%). First of all, projects in the North Caucasus should be aimed at establishing new work places. This means a contemporary effective structure of employment should be formed, demand for skilled labor and business initiatives should be promoted. In this situation regional programs of employment promotion were effective. More than 48 thousand people of the North Caucasus who took part in the programs underwent professional re-training and education at enterprises; more than 30 thousand people launched their own businesses supported by the government. In 2012 we will continue to implement programs on reducing tension in the labor market. We will allocate the necessary money from the federal budget. I ask the heads of the Russian regions to prepare corresponding regional programs as soon as possible.
On small and medium-sized business
Our main target is establishing work places in the North Caucasus, and small and medium-sized business plays a great role in this. Business traditions, aspiring to have one's own business, are strong in the North Caucasus. Competent use of this potential will gain great results. We should increase the effectiveness of business support, using all the instruments we have – direct financing, tax benefits and legal support of business registration. We should get rid of all obstacles in the way of establishing family businesses.
I ask the heads of the regions to include support for small and medium-sized business not lower than in 2011 to the fiscal programs of 2012. Special attention should be paid to microfinancing organizations and guarantee funds, especially considering that the federal center supports these guarantee funds. These structures are the basis for small and medium-sized business. I ask all regions to consider the opportunity for seriously increasing the financing of these institutions.
On investment in the economy of the NCFD
To achieve a turning point in the economy of the North Caucasus, to change the situation for the better, we should improve the real sector of the economy and form favorable conditions for investment. Investment projects should be such points of growth. 44 projects have been already chosen for federal financing. Their implementation will lead to 17 thousand new work places and stimulation of the social sphere, construction of roads, buildings, hospitals and kindergartens.
Next year we will start the selection of investment projects. Regions should participate in implementing such projects more actively. Indifference is an unacceptable position. Control over effectiveness use of state money should be improved. I suggest establishing an investment activity monitoring system in the NCFD.
Pavel Martynov. Exclusively to VK
