Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev answered questions from journalists, told about the main results of the outgoing 2016 and outlined plans for 2017.
Russian authorities, implementing all social obligations before its citizens, have maintained macroeconomic stability, but the performance could have been better, Dmitry Medvedev said.
"Of course, one can pump up the economy with money, increase the budget deficit, increase the volume of the state debt, but we understand the consequences. Yes, the economy will receive more money for development, in the result it will increase inflation," Medvedev explained.
"With regard to the socio-economic perspective, it seems to me that the main thing is that we are developing, despite the internal problems, we have maintained the macroeconomic stability, we are fulfilling social obligations," Medvedev said, summing up the results of 2016.
"Let's face it, if we talk about macroeconomic indicators, they are, of course, could be better," he added.
He also said that Russian economy will begin growing in 2017 after less than 1-percent decrease in GDP in 2016.
"This year we are likely to have a slight decrease in the gross domestic product, slightly less than 1 percent, may be 0.5 percent, we still need to do the final assessments. Next year, our economy… will start growing."
"This year the planned inflation is 5.8 percent. But actually I think it will be around 5.5 percent. This is the lowest result for the entire history of our country," Medvedev said.
Russia's GDP growth rate will be able to get ahead of global indicators if the structural changes of the economy continue, the head of the Russian government is confident.
"It is not that simple, but it can be done. And all our actions in recent years we made to gain economic grow," Medvedev stressed.
According to Dmitry Medvedev, Russia harvested 118 million tonnes of grain this year, which is a record.
The Prime Minister also promised that the health budget will be increased each year.
"If this year it is about 2.6 trillion rubles, in the next year the health budget will be about 3 trillion rubles, in 2018 it will amount to 3 trillion 150 billion rubles, in 2019 - to 3 trillion 250 billion rubles," Medvedev said.
The domestic demand for medicines in Russia is met by domestic products by 65-70%, the prime minister noted.
