OREANDA-NEWS. July 04, 2011. Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Mr Braverman, as you know, a resolution on extending the work of your fund was signed awhile back. The fund has won a reputation for itself. Actually, its reputation is quite good. The attainment of your goals really helps solve a number of problems. Today, I would like to go over some issues which you and I have already discussed and the status of previous instructions. Also, I would like to talk about the future plans.

Alexander Braverman: Mr Putin, you signed a resolution on extending the authority which limits the decision-making potential of the federal executive agencies as regards federal property until 2016. This document has influenced the investment climate most positively. This is highlighted by the statistics for Russian investors who have been filing more applications. This can also be seen by the fact that the property owners are now selling more easily. What’s also important is that foreign investors who had previously displayed some caution are now becoming interested, after perceiving absolute predictability and transparency. I mean investors managing over USD 150 billion.

An agreement with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has been signed. Investors cooperating with it have displayed specific interest in this and have requested property covering at least 100 hectares in every federal district.

Regarding your instructions, you told us to reclaim property after the resettlement of tenants from rundown and dilapidated housing. We have resettled them. All this property will be reclaimed completely in 2011 through 2013 using the standard procedure. This lengthy time frame is necessitated by the fact that we need to drag the infrastructure towards some of this property. Please excuse me for using this expression.

One of your other instructions dealt with student residences. The Ministry of Education and Science and we have analysed college and university demand for student housing. This concerns only those colleges and universities which are planning to expand, not all of them. Those colleges and universities which now have land plots for building student residences will receive projects using the designs already approved. These land plots will not be confiscated, but will be retained for subsequent construction of student residences. Those lacking land plots will receive property from the fund’s available regional resources free of charge.

One of your instructions concerned young scientists … 

Vladimir Putin: Yes, we have discussed this issue with the President of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Alexander Braverman: Mr Putin, this issue is rather complicated. Young scientists are often unable to make their first installment and monthly payments. Sberbank and our fund are working together on a special product called “Young Scientist.” We will try to formulate this product so that young scientists… under absolutely clear criteria, young scientists who hold PhDs and are less than 35 years old; scientists with DSc degrees, who are under 45 and with a certain work record also fit into the Young Scientist category. This category and scientists working in priority high-tech sectors, including bioengineering, IT, etc., could receive housing.

We have set aside a 153.2 hectare plot of land in Novosibirsk as a pilot project, and a condominium complex will be established there. Mr Putin, a law on condominiums has been passed in the first reading with the government’s direct involvement. Although this document is confined to the fund’s land, it has been passed in the first reading. The law now makes it possible to allocate property to young scientists free of charge, to build the required infrastructure there and to use the designs already approved. In all, this makes it possible to cut housing costs by 25%-35%. And we will try to formulate the first installments without budgetary expense. The fund has the required budget, and it will continue to implement the pilot project at its own expense per your instruction.

Vladimir Putin: Please think it over with the Housing Mortgage Agency and the banks and make a multi-component proposal.

Alexander Braverman: If you will allow me, we will write you a joint letter, and will wait for your instruction, due to be implemented.

Vladimir Putin: Mr Braverman, I recently met with some agricultural producers, members of the appropriate organisations. They repeatedly mention farmland-related problems. Although I don’t think that this directly concerns your fund, please check into the matter. This concerns the Tver Region in particular.

Alexander Braverman: Mr Putin, we will check into this, and we will report the findings to you.

Vladimir Putin: We should not touch farmland being used for that direct purpose. Let the people work. You and I have agreed that your fund will only take vacant property not being used by the state…

Alexander Braverman: Or used ineffectively.

Vladimir Putin: Or used ineffectively, or misused.

Alexander Braverman: We will review it.

Vladimir Putin: Agreed.