Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:
Vladimir Putin: Mr Kovalev, I know that you have completed an economic analysis of the region for last year. The Ryazan Region has emerged from the crisis with minimal damage. Which industries were the most successful, and why, do you think? Are there any problems that demand special attention from the federal government?
Oleg Kovalev: First, the anti-crisis measures did not just control the recession and reduce social tensions-especially among people who could have lost their jobs. They even allowed us to make progress in many economic sectors. In particular, we have increased support for small businesses nine-fold through grants and subsidising interest rates on loans.
Small businesses' share in the manufacturing sector has grown by 5%.
Vladimir Putin: So support has grown nine-fold?
Oleg Kovalev: Yes, as compared to 2008.
Vladimir Putin: That is twice the national average.
Oleg Kovalev: We have created 1,200 new jobs. The Ryazan Region ranks fourth in the Central Federal District, following such economic giants as Moscow, and the Moscow and Lipetsk regions.
Agricultural output has increased by 8%, comparing to 2008, though the weather for that year was much more favourable than in 2009.
This success is due to targeted funding that proceeded from the actual turnover. Next, financial policies regarding fuel and fertiliser prices have given the region the largest harvest for the last fifteen years.
Milk yields have skyrocketed by an impressive 500 kilograms per cow.
Vladimir Putin: And what is the average yield?
Oleg Kovalev: 4,200 kilograms, and we think we will reach the 5,000 kilogram mark by 2012, which will allow for maximum efficiency and low net costs.
Vladimir Putin: 5,000 kilos is the European average.
Oleg Kovalev: Yes. Also, the communal services reform fund has been of great help. I managed to get money both in 2009 and for this year-and the region has used all of it.
We are bulldozing dilapidated houses, and the people are getting new homes.
Vladimir Putin: How many families were relocated last year?
Oleg Kovalev: Our goal was 2,600. 1,400 had moved in by November, and resettlement is to finish this month.
Vladimir Putin: Has the fund also been used to repair old blocks of flats?
Oleg Kovalev: Yes. We have carried out major renovations. Here are relevant figures.
People are happy-the tenants had lost all hope that we would renovate their homes. Many condominium partnerships have been established, and some of them have already fenced in their neighbourhoods and built children's playgrounds on their own. People have begun to take the initiative themselves.
Vladimir Putin: This is how it should be-condominiums should not be set up in dilapidating housing. Homes must be repaired first.
Oleg Kovalev: We have done much for healthcare. We were faced with a difficult choice: either put money into municipal services or join federal health programmes and focus on co-financing high-tech services.
Construction on three intermunicipal and one regional heart surgery centres was finished last year. We have also started building a major perinatal centre, which will be finished this year. The Ryazan Region has joined a federal anti-cancer programme for this year because the region has fallen behind on birth and mortality rate. This will allow us to bring these indicators in line with the national average.
All this is due to the anti-crisis measures. Also, Mr Putin, what you said to the congress ...
Vladimir Putin: The United Russia party congress, you mean?
Oleg Kovalev: Yes. The decisions you made about World War II veterans' housing and pensions have greatly improved the public mood and increased confidence in the authorities.
Vladimir Putin: If this is really true, I am sure that in next March's elections... You have elections in March, correct?
Oleg Kovalev: Yes.
Vladimir Putin: The electorate will respond appropriately.
Oleg Kovalev: Well, yes, of course we want public support.