Russian President Dmitry Medvedev presented ten key courses for the
modernization of Russia. He believes that they give new opportunities
for business, RIA Novosti reports.
The first is the unprecedented program of privatizing major state
assets. The list of strategic enterprises was reduced 5-fold. Shares
in bank, infrastructure and energy sectors worth billions of dollars
will be privatized.
The second is the establishment of an independent fund to protect the
risks of foreign investors via joint investments into modernization.
The third is the development of the Russian financial sector. The tax
on income from realizing securities when providing long-term
investments was cancelled on January 1.
The fourth is establishment of new, major markets with common
regulation rules. Russia has been ready to join the WTO for a long
time. The partners promised to complete the process this year. Then
Russia will join the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development.
The fifth is formation of new opportunities for innovative business
and venture investments. Universities were permitted to open
enterprises using their intellectual property. There is approximately
a thousand of such companies.
The sixth is the program on improving energy efficiency. Any state or
private projects will meet modern standards of energy use.
The seventh is the usage of mechanisms of technology transfer.
Medvedev is confident that technological exchange will contribute to
world security. Establishment of the Russia-French consortium Mistral
for helicopter carrier construction is especially welcome.
The eighth is the program for providing broadband Internet throughout
the whole country. One of the main projects is integration of banking
and public services based on cash cards. It is a significant
instrument against the red-tape.
The ninth is education. Specialists with knowledge of the world and
capable of competing at a global level are as vital as air, Medvedev
said.
The tenth is infrastructure projects. Medvedev noted that holding
high-profile international sports events is a chance to revive
infrastructure, and make it more comfortable for citizens and
commerce. All the projects will be realized basing on state
partnership. Everyone will find a beneficial form of business, he
concluded.
