The national anti-crisis programme prioritises efforts to maintain social stability, to stabilise the labour market and to support unemployed and retired persons, Mr Shuvalov said, while opening the meeting. He said the Government's measures also aimed to develop the infrastructure and the industrial potential, and to support strategic enterprises and major employers.
Mr Shuvalov said the Government had drafted a comprehensive document and emphasised the role of regional Governments in implementing the programme. "We realise that the programme's success depends on productive cooperation between federal and regional authorities," Mr Shuvalov said.
Mr Shuvalov said that the Government was not renouncing its plans to develop export-oriented sectors, but that the relevant strategy is aimed at boosting domestic demand at this time of crisis.
Mr Shuvalov added that a new Russian economic model prioritising domestic demand would be gradually formulated in 2009, "while we cope with the effects of the crisis." "A new economic growth model is currently a real challenge for all of us," Mr Shuvalov stressed.
"At present, we must boost domestic demand and activate our entire machinery for this purpose. People must create a certain environment around them. We must use various social support mechanisms in order to assist them when they are unable to accomplish this objective," Mr Shuvalov stressed.
Mr Shuvalov informed that the draft 2009 federal budget stipulated 300 billion roubles as additional financial support for the Russian Federation's constituent entities.
Mr Shuvalov focused on the situation in the small business sphere and the task of creating a nationwide middle class that would account for 50-60% of the population.