“I would like to mention that the initiative to accelerate the establishment of the Customs Union was proposed by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who considers it possible to complete the basic procedures by January 1, 2010. We think so too, and have joined the efforts to implement this proposal.”
“I would like to thank United Russia and its representatives in Parliament for supporting the anti-crisis measures proposed by the Government. Most of the steps they envisage are in the process of being implemented or have already been implemented. They include expeditious adoption of 17 federal laws.”
"In the first quarter of this year, foreign investment in Russia's economy shrank due to the global financial meltdown and economic downturn. This is already clearly understood. And yet, despite the crisis, $12 billion of foreign investment flowed into the Russian economy in the period January-March".
The Deputy Prime Minister continued: "Despite the complicated economic conditions today in the country, we are seeing serious interest in the Olympics among sponsors and investors." He said that today, thanks to investors' resources "the Organising Committee has a significant financial surplus of 4 billion roubles."
“The bank started funding the 21st new project. The projects are related to infrastructural development, high technologies, and new industrial plants – in particular, the modernisation of Siberian and Far Eastern railways; the establishment of technology parks in Tatarstan and the Kaluga Region; the reconstruction of several power plants, and work in the entire energy industry. The bank also joined the investors of Olympic construction in Sochi.”
“The present situation is complicated due to the economic crisis. However, it provides conditions to diversify our contacts with the leading European countries. We have done a great deal recently to promote energy partnership. Now we have an opportunity to make further steps in industry – in particular, engineering.”