Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with Federal Anti-Monopoly Service Head Igor Artemyev
Vladimir Putin and Igor Artemyev discussed the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service’s efforts to combat price collusions. Notably, Mr Artemyev told Prime Minister Vladimir Putin about joint work with the Interior Ministry exposing a cartel conspiracy on the coal market. Other anti-monopoly investigations, chiefly on the chlorine market, were also raised. Mr Putin and Mr Artemyev also discussed the results FAS has achieved in cutting the costs of mobile-phone use and roaming charges. As Prime Minister Putin stressed, this work must be followed through to completion.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meets with Andrei Nelidov, president of the Republic of Karelia
During the meeting, Prime Minister Putin noted several positive trends in the republic, in particular a significant rise in investment and a growing budget surplus. In clarifying his regional government’s primary objectives, Mr Nelidov said that the top priority is to improve tax collection. He also informed the prime minister that, as of January 12, regular air travel had begun between Moscow and the regional city of Petrozavodsk.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting of the Government Presidium
The governors of the Moscow, Tver, Nizhni Novgorod and Smolensk regions reported at a meeting of the government presidium on the relief operation during the abnormal heat and wildfires last summer. Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko and General Director of the IDGC Holding Nikolai Shvets put forward their proposals for improving the power grids’ efficiency. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin spoke about progress in the restructuring of Russian Railways and proposed extending the reform to 2015.
Events for 12 january 2011
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin holds a meeting with Khanty-Mansi Governor Natalya Komarova
Prime Minister Putin said the region’s achievements last year include a surplus budget and an absence of wage arrears. However, he pointed out that less housing had been commissioned in the region last year. The prime minister and the governor also discussed assistance to the victims of the January 1 air crash in Surgut.
“On the whole, I believe we chose the right strategy during the recession and the post-crisis period. We have supported the national economy and continued a vigorous social development policy. According to estimates, Russia’s GDP increased 3.8% in 2010 while industrial output grew 8.3%. Importantly, these encouraging trends have improved public sentiment.”
