Rustem Khamitov: "Involve population in active economic life is our ultimate priority"

UFA, 28 February 2017. /Bashinform News Agency/. On February 28, in the framework of the "Sochi-2017" Russian Investment Forum a meeting of the Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and heads of the regions on issues of inter-budgetary policy was held, where the Head of Bashkortostan Rustem Khamitov took part.

The Head of the Republic noted that the index of industrial production had amounted to 102.6 percent in the republic, investment in fixed assets – to nearly 104.5 percent in 2016. Tax and non-tax revenues of consolidated budget increased by 11.5 percent. Such results were achieved largely through reduction in benefits, efficient use of land and property, employment legalisation, repayment of debt.

In 2017, the republic undertook obligations to the Russian Government on further improving budgetary system and socio-economic policy in general. The corresponding agreement was signed. In case of reaching target indicators, the region will receive a subsidy from the federal budget.

Speaking about increase in the revenue part of the republican budget, the Head of Bashkortostan stressed that every ministry and municipality had developed roadmaps for revenue growth and spending efficiency improvement. They envisage constant interaction with small and medium-sized businesses.

“And we see the result - not hundreds of millions, but about 2-2.5 billion rubles of surplus received by us in 2016. These figures are good for us”, Rustem Khamitov said. “The Ministry of Finance replicates our experience in other entities. So, these roadmaps are in demand.”

The Head of the Republic believes that the benefits for small and medium-sized businesses are rather of psychological than economic significance. Since the experience shows that there is no direct relationship between the benefits and entrepreneurship intensification, the growth of budget revenues yet.

Rustem Khamitov named optimization and cost savings as an effective tool of fiscal policy. Today, elements of this approach are implemented in the republic in the housing system, construction of social facilities.

Rustem Khamitov welcomed implementation of local initiatives support program in the republic and suggested to apply this practice in the project on forming a comfortable urban environment.

“We should try to find new ways of working with people to get them involved in the economy, not to force them, but to get them interested in such activity - this is probably our ultimate priority.”