The agenda includes concessional loans to SMEs in the technology and innovation sectors, insurance payments for health workers, and support for flood-affected regions.
Mikhail Mishustin's welcoming remarks:
Good afternoon, colleagues,
The Government is expanding its support measures for small and medium-sized businesses, specifically technology and innovation companies in the sector. A new financial tool has been created as part of the socioeconomic development strategic initiative approved by the President. The main goal is to help new companies at all stages of development, from initial concept to implementation.
Now they can get a concenssional loan at a low rate of 3 percent. A loan of up to 500 million roubles can be approved for the implementation of an investment project or for increasing working capital for a period of up to three years.
In total, 750 million roubles will be allocated to subsidise these loans from this year's budget, and over 3 billion roubles over the next two years. This is another opportunity for small businesses in high-tech and innovation development to implement their ideas and programmes and become new technology leaders.
The next decision is about countering the coronavirus. Peak incidence, which occurred in mid-February, is now over. Now the situation in most regions is improving, partly thanks to the selfless work of our doctors.
At the President's initiative, there have been special insurance guarantees for medical personnel and ambulance drivers. If medical workers fall ill when assisting a COVID-19 patient, they are entitled to lump-sum payments. The Government will additionally allocate more than 4 billion roubles for this.
I would like to ask my colleagues to pay special attention to seeing that these payments are made on time and without delay.
Now to support of the regions that suffered from bad weather conditions. Serious floods have occurred in Crimea and several regions of Siberia and the Far East in recent years. Due to heavy rains, the rivers overflowed their banks and flooded much property. Significant social and road infrastructure facilities were damaged.
Last year the Government helped these regions by allocating money to support people who lost their homes and property as well as compensated farmers for their damage.
We will allocate 2 billion roubles from the budget for this and next year to restore damaged roads in nine Russian regions which suffered from the flooding.
It is important to perform the necessary work in the next two years. Destroyed roads are a big problem for residents and for the region as a whole. After all, it cannot develop normally without good connections between cities and villages.
I would like to ask the Ministry of Finance to transfer this money as promptly as possible so the Russian regions can sign their contracts on a timely basis.
