Putin calls for modernisation of Russias economy
Moscow | Saturday, Nov 21 2009 IST
 

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin today called for modernisation programmes and more responsible attitudes among the business community, to reduce the economy's dependence on raw materials.

''It's time for businesses to start working differently, Putin said, addressing the ruling United Russia Party Congress in St Petersburg. Putin heads the party, although he is not a member.

Unfortunately, many are used to working by simple, crude rules - squeeze out every last drop from ageing equipment and get into debt with the hope that the state will provide a shoulder at the last minute and drag them out of their hole,'' he said.

''A modern economy can not be built on this psychology of temporary workers,'' Putin stressed.

''If we want to live on the profits of a modern economy, and not survive on rent from raw materials, we have no other option, he warned, adding hundreds of Russian companies have shown over the past year that they are capable of developing amid the most adverse conditions.

However, he said state support measures will have to be stepped up to save the national car industry, which has seen output fall by more than 60% this year.

Putin also urged large companies with government-held stakes to launch programmes to eliminate corruption.

President Dmitry Medvedev told the congress that Russia has suffered from the global economic downturn but has managed to keep the damage to a minimum.

''Thanks to cooperation between civic bodies, the party, and government authorities of all levels, we have managed to substantially limit the negative consequences of the global crisis,'' Medvedev said.

-- (UNI) -- 21DF6.xml

 

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