Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Mr Antufyev, how is the region doing, economically and socially?

Sergei Antufyev: Well, it’s doing quite well, Mr Putin. We’ve earned 1.8 billion roubles more since the start of this year than in the same period last year. This is an indicator showing the current state of an economy. It suggests our enterprises are picking up after the downturn.

Our gross regional product was close on 145 billion roubles last year while this year we expect it to reach 161 billion. This is what will enable us to solve our social problems.

More investors bring money to our region these days. There are 30 investment projects currently underway in industry, in energy production, and in agriculture (as many as eight). This allows me to say that the region is, indeed, gaining momentum.

Vladimir Putin: How are you getting ready for the new school year?

Sergei Antufyev: We’ve prepared all of our schools for September 1 already. As it happens, some problems arose during our preparatory work, so we had to provide additional assistance to municipalities.

We’ve allocated an additional 70 million roubles to do away with the defects detected by Rospotrebnadzor (Federal Service for the Supervision of Consumer Protection and Welfare) and other watchdogs. Our fire control authorities are very rigorous – and rightly so – in issuing safety certificates for schools. So I think we are ready for September 1.

Vladimir Putin: And how about what we’ve agreed upon within our school modernisation programme? Teacher pay increases, I mean?

Sergei Antufyev: We’ve already made all required calculations and will start raising salaries in line with your instructions on September 1.

Vladimir Putin: Raising to what level? Will you be able to bring them to the region’s all-sector average?

Sergei Antufyev: No, we cannot afford such an increase at this point.

Vladimir Putin: And when will you be able to do that?

Sergei Antufyev: Our region’s all-sector average wage currently stands at 15,500 roubles. It will take us a year to bring teacher salaries up to this mark.

Vladimir Putin: Meaning not until the end of next year?

Sergei Antufyev: No, I mean the school year, starting on September 1.

Vladimir Putin: Yes, but on September 1 next year, the all-sector average wage for the regional economy will rise as well, hopefully.

Sergei Antufyev: Yes, it should.

Vladimir Putin: So you will be trying to bring your teacher pay to next year’s all-sector average?

Sergei Antufyev: We’ve set ourselves this task, yes.

Vladimir Putin: And the increase forthcoming on September 1 this year, how much will it be?

Sergei Antufyev: Thirty percent, in keeping with you instructions.

Vladimir Putin: Okay, then your next year’s task will be to bring it up to the all-sector average.

Sergei Antufyev: Sure, we’ve committed ourselves.

Vladimir Putin: Good.