OREANDA-NEWS   The Russian government will allocate an additional 8.5 billion rubles for the state program of socio-economic development of the Far East and the Baikal region. This was stated by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev at a government meeting.

"We continue to support the Far Eastern region. In the Federal budget for activities for the development of the Far Eastern Federal district, additional funds are reserved, " he said. "Most of them, 21 billion rubles, have been allocated."

"The remaining money, which is almost 8.5 billion rubles, is proposed to be allocated for the state program of socio-economic development of the Far East and the Baikal region, including the implementation of investment projects with the participation of the Far East development Fund," the Prime Minister said.

Speaking about other issues that are considered at the meeting on Thursday, Medvedev noted the document removing restrictions on the participation of foreign citizens in the crews of experimental aircraft. According to him, demonstration flights with representatives of foreign customers are a global practice, a prerequisite for the technical acceptance of ships.

 "Taking into account the fact that we are certifying new aircraft for the conclusion of contracts for their supply (for export), there is a need to include foreign test pilots in the crew," the Prime Minister explained. "In addition, the certification of ships according to European and American standards requires that on Board were representatives of a foreign certification body, but we are talking only about experimental flights," - said Medvedev.

The development of the Far Eastern region has long been a priority for the government and the President and various innovative projects aimed at the development of the region are constantly being considered. And the "Far Eastern hectare" undoubtedly belongs to such projects.