Notes from the meeting:
Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, Mr Vekselberg. I would like us to focus on construction issues today.
Viktor Vekselberg: Yes, Mr Putin, let us discuss the construction issues.
Vladimir Putin: I hope, construction projects have not stopped, have they?
Viktor Vekselberg: This is precisely what I wanted to discuss with you today. The projects have not stopped. The joint initiative on integrated development projects that was introduced three years ago with the Ministry of Regional Development is being actively implemented. Our main project, Akademichesky, located in the suburbs of Yekaterinbug, is going well.
If you look at the presentations for the last two years, you will notice that over 15 billion roubles have been invested in the project, including the budget allocations at various government levels: federal, regional, and municipal. Infrastructure facilities have been commissioned, including roads, communications, a water treatment plant, supplies, and electricity network. Residential housing construction has been launched.
In total, there are over 9,000 people employed in this construction project, including construction workers, engineers, and contractors. I believe that the practical experience of integrated development projects, which essentially means a construction of new towns and districts from scratch, has proved its efficiency even during the crisis period.
Vladimir Putin: What about the social infrastructure?
Viktor Vekselberg: This is one of the issues that we are concerned about. In our agreements with the regions we essentially agreed to share the responsibility. The regions were supposed to take on the responsibility for the infrastructure construction, including the social infrastructure, such as orphanages, schools, and hospitals.
Today, however, it appears that the regional budgets are not able to fully meet their commitments as originally planned. Nevertheless, we are engaged in an active dialogue with them, and I believe that we will find a solution that would allow us not to suspend the social infrastructure construction, and people will be able to move into their new homes.
I would like to mention the positive cooperation experience with the Ministry of Defence. We have signed an agreement on the construction of 5,000 flats, which will be partially allocated from the project under way. They will be commissioned within 3 years.
Vladimir Putin: If I understand correctly, there are two main construction projects. One is in Yekaterinburg and where is the other one?
Viktor Vekselberg: In Chelyabinsk. In total, there are 8 such projects throughout Russia that have been classified as integrated development projects by the Ministry of Regional Development.
I believe that if these projects are assigned a special legal status, it will have a very positive effect. The Government is currently considering a draft law initiated by the Ministry of Regional Development. I would like to request that you keep this document under your scrutiny to make sure that it is promptly considered. The draft law can to some extent help find a systemic solution to the existing issues.
I would like to stress once again that particularly during the time of crisis, this type of large projects can help solve the issues of unemployment and provide work for related industries. We have already seen people in the area transferring to our project. For this to happen, however, we will need to be confident in the future, because this is a long-term project and it will take more than a year or two to finish. We hope that we will be able to build this town and to fully implement the project, as originally planned.
Vladimir Putin: When do you think the first buildings will be completed so that people can start moving in?
Viktor Vekselberg: As you can see further in the presentation, we are planning to have the first 75,000 square metres commissioned this year. Hopefully, the first residents will be able receive the keys to their flats. Of course, it will also depend on how the social infrastructure issues are going to be solved.
Vladimir Putin: What about the transport infrastructure?
Viktor Vekselberg: The roads have been constructed. We are planning to build a high-speed tramway from the suburb to the centre of Yekaterinburg. The engineering project has already been prepared. I believe that the transport solutions will meet the 21st century standards.
Vladimir Putin: How long will the ride take to the city centre?
Viktor Vekselberg: If everything works out as we have planned, it should not take more 15 minutes.
Vladimir Putin: I understand that you need a Government resolution, correct?
Viktor Vekselberg: That is correct.
Vladimir Putin: Let's discuss that.