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We intend to develop transport infrastructure in all directions. The first stage of the Eastern Siberia –
Pacific Ocean" oil pipeline is nearing completion. Its final point will be a new oil port in the Kozmin Bay and a
refinery in the Vladivostok area. In the future, in parallel to the pipeline, a gas pipeline will be laid towards the
Pacific Ocean and China.
* * *
I would also like to mention the effect the global crisis had on the Russian economy. It has affected us in
a most serious way.
But nevertheless, but unlike many countries, we have accumulated substantial resources.
And they expand our possibilities to assertively pass through the period of global instability.
The crisis has exposed the challenges we have. These are excessive orientation of export and the
economy, in general, on raw materials and a weak financial market. There is a greater demand for the
development of basic market structures, first of all, the entire competitive environment.
We were aware of these problems and have worked for their consistent solutions. The crisis just forces us
to more actively move ahead according to the declared priorities without changing the strategy itself, whose
essence is the qualitative renewal of Russia within the next 10-12 years.
Our anti-crisis policy is directed to internal demand support, social security of citizens and creation of
new jobs. Like many other countries, we are reducing taxes on production, investing money in the economy. We
are optimising state expenses.
I’d like to reiterate that along with the measures of first response, we are elaborating a platform for post-
crisis development.
We are confident that the leaders of world economy rehabilitation will become those who will create
attractive conditions for investments already today as well as those who will manage to preserve and strengthen
the sources of strategically important resources.
Therefore, the creation of a favourable entrepreneur ambience and development of competition, creation
of a sustainable credit system based on internal resources and realisation of transport and other infrastructural
projects are among our priorities.
At present, Russia is already one of the biggest exporters of several food products. And our input to
provision of global food security will only increase.
We will also actively develop innovative sectors of the economy, first of all, those where Russia has
competitive advantages in outer space, nuclear energy and aviation. In these directions, we have already been
actively developing technological cooperation with other countries. The field of energy saving can also become a
prospective subject for mutual cooperation. The increase of energy efficiency is just considered to be a key
factor of energy security and future development.
We will continue reforms in Russia’s energy sector. We are implementing a new system of pricing for
domestic consumers which is based on economically justified tariffs. This is important, among other things, to
promote energy conservation. We will continue with our policy of being open to foreign investment.
I think that the 21st-century economy is an economy of people, not of factories. The intellectual aspect in
the global economic development has grown immensely. That’s why we plan to concentrate on creating
additional opportunities for our people to realise their potential.
Even today, we are a well-educated nation. But we need Russian people to get the best and the most
modern education, to obtain professional skills which will be in great demand in the world today. Thus, we will
develop educational programs for key professions in Russia with utmost vigour.
We will expand the practice of student exchange and organise internships for our students in leading
universities and most advanced companies. We will create conditions for the best scientists, professors and
teachers—regardless of their ethnic background and nationality—to desire to work in Russia.
History gives our country a unique chance. The way events unfold requires that we reform our economy
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