OREANDA-NEWS. January 16, 2013.Speech by Dmitry Medvedev at the forum:  Good afternoon, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen. I would like to thank you for inviting me to speak at the Gaidar Forum.

Life changes fast. Currently, all of us, Russians of course, take for granted the possibility to build our lives as we see fit and to do it according to our own interests. We can do business, travel abroad for business, relax and, finally, own private property. All this seemed an illusion and an unrealisable dream just over 20 years ago. Incidentally, this was our life when I first visited this building and the complex of the Academy of National Economy for the first time. But the dream came true, and this was largely made possible by Yegor Gaidar’s team. Long ago, his team was not afraid to deviate from the path, which seemed forever shaped by the history of our country, despite an extremely difficult situation. Yes, of course, this was a very difficult path and a very difficult time, but we realise that such transformations are never easy for any country.

Quite possibly, this is particularly evident today when, as many analysts believe, the global economy is experiencing a systemic crisis. This is proved by the all-encompassing nature of this crisis, the duration of this crisis, as well as by intertwined financial and political upheavals. It appears that this crisis will never end. As soon as we breathe a sigh of relief, the crisis starts unfolding again. The situation resembles major 20th century crises like the crises of the 1930s and the 1970s. I would like to recall that the last large-scale crisis of the 1970s gave birth to  a new technological and economic model, as well as the political and economic liberalisation and the appearance of the two main reserve currencies. Accelerated globalisation, a key factor of the modern world’s development, was the most important consequence of this crisis.

Obviously, inter-dependent economic processes in various countries serve to aggravate, rather than mitigate, various manifestations of the crisis. We felt the crunch in 2008 when the current crisis began. Of course, new opportunities, new changes, technological shifts, a new model of economic growth, new geo-economic and geopolitical balances and a new realignment of global currencies lie ahead. In effect, a new model of economic regulation is currently being formed. It appears that this will be a supra-national model. Leading countries will have to make unconventional and responsible decisions in the next few years. Those, who find these solutions will be able to make a powerful leap forward.

Russia presides over the G20 this year. We see our role in offering a policy to consolidate economic growth to our partners. Most importantly, we must restore confidence on global markets and develop new international financial centres. We must eliminate barriers hampering direct investment and global value-creation chains. We must ensure more transparent and more effective financial regulation, as well as that in other spheres, including energy, which is important for Russia. I am confident that we will be able to turn to normal sustained development in this manner, that is, by removing barriers and by strengthening international coordination.

The Government’s main short-term goal is to ensure a conversion to sustained economic growth. At any rate, this economic growth should be at least 5%. We must strive to accomplish this objective and to ensure a sustained increase in national standards of living on this basis. As before, our country needs to ensure the qualitative renewal and comprehensive modernisation of various areas. My colleagues and I have repeatedly noted that we need production and technological modernisation, which will make it possible to create millions of high-skill jobs. We need economic diversification, and we need to reduce our dependence on fuel and energy price fluctuation. Of course, we need social modernisation, which would help turn the middle class into the dominant class. We have to create a more effective and equitable healthcare system, a more effective and equitable pension system and to make all social institutions more effective and equitable. And, finally, we must continue our political modernisation and drastically expand the range of political and economic freedoms.
 112th executive meeting of government chaired by governor Li Bin on the morning of January 15 discussed and approved Anhui Quality Development Outline (2013-2020). The meeting also required that the meetings and exhibitions at all levels should be streamlined.

The meeting pointed out that quality is the key of regional comprehensive strength and related to the production and life. People-oriented development mode should be popularized and guarantee capacity for the quality should be enhanced.

The meeting required quality supervision should be strengthened and illegal behavior on quality should be cracked down severely.