During his current trip to Voronezh, First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov discussed the Government-approved programme at a meeting with representatives of the federal executive authorities and governors of the Central Federal District.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr Shuvalov said, in part, that the main goal of the Government's anti-crisis programme is to stabilise the labour market and provide social support to individual groups of citizens. He said that "the programme suggests specific measures to support specific branches of Russia's industrial potential". In addition, a large part of the programme is devoted to the need to lower administrative barriers, "and this is directly linked with the support of small- and medium-size businesses."
Some regions "are demonstrating substantial support, whereas others are doing the opposite," Mr Shuvalov noted. In many cases, there are administrative barriers "if not administrative oppression of small businesses," he said.
Mr Shuvalov observed that small businesses may become the foundation of the middle class in this country, and "will change our labour market". In this context, he spoke about the wishes expressed by small businesses at their meetings. They believe it is necessary to create transparent access to government contracts through electronic bargaining. "Small businesses should have access not only to federal contracts, but also to regional and municipal ones," Mr Shuvalov said.