Agenda: results of the working visit to Kazakhstan, financing for the re-equipment of the Chukotka District Hospital, and Organic Production Development Strategy implementation plan.
Mikhail Mishustin’s opening remarks:
Good morning, colleagues.
Meeting with deputy prime ministers on current issues
Last week we travelled to Kazakhstan. At the Digital Almaty international digital forum, we took a look at our countries’ promising projects with our partners in the Eurasian Economic Union, and discussed in detail the impact of innovations on the global economy, integration processes, and public administration.
My colleagues, heads of government and I understand well that the use of digital technologies contributes to the development of economic sectors and the social sphere. At the same time, it is very important to rely on our own, sovereign decisions.
At the meeting of the Intergovernmental Council, we spoke in detail about joint initiatives, which, when implemented, bring tangible results for all participants. The Eurasian Agroexpress, for example. It helps accelerate the delivery of agricultural products and foodstuffs by rail. We will increase transportation and introduce seamless cross-border logistics technologies both within the Union and with our nearest neighbours. And of course, we will continue to modernise the existing infrastructure and build new infrastructure.
Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan are actively working in all these areas. We signed a relevant memorandum during the intergovernmental council meeting.
The heads of government also focused on the topic of creating favourable conditions for the development of electronic commerce in the Group of Five. We face the task of setting common rules for the Internet commerce market in the interests of citizens and entrepreneurs.
In general, we touched upon the issues on the digital agenda. We agreed to intensify our work to improve the integrated information system of the Union countries.
Colleagues.
At the December summit in St Petersburg, the President emphasised that cooperation in the Eurasian Economic Union is progressing very successfully and dynamically, and is helping to unlock the economic potential of our countries.
It is very important that we keep up the pace and closely monitor how the agreements with our partners in the Union are being implemented in all areas.
Now a few words about the decisions already taken. The Government continues to pay special attention to the health of our citizens. On the instructions of the President, a special federal programme is being implemented, which is aimed at improving the national healthcare system, increasing its potential and developing the relevant infrastructure.
Recently, at a meeting between the President and the residents of Anadyr, we talked about the diagnosis and treatment of complications in newborns. In order to provide high-tech assistance even in the most severe cases, the Chukotka District Hospital needs modern medical devices, such as ultrasound and artificial ventilation devices, resuscitation systems and a system for transporting children. We will allocate funds from the federal budget for these things. This order has been signed.
Ms Golikova, I also ask you to oversee attaching the district to the perinatal centre in Khabarovsk (we have agreed on this), so that if necessary, patients, especially young patients, are promptly sent there to receive qualified treatment.
More on measures to ensure healthy nutrition for citizens. The President emphasised that our country's vast natural resources should be used to increase the production of environmentally friendly goods. A package of tasks will have to be resolved for this.
The Government has approved a step-by-step plan to implement the Organic Production Development Strategy adopted last year, which should create a separate sector in agriculture where mineral fertilisers are not used.
The document stipulates elaborating the relevant national standards and introducing additional incentives for businesses to help accelerate the development of advanced agro-technologies, start-ups and innovations. It will also allow producers to increase planting areas and expand related infrastructure.
Considerable attention will be paid to the training of competent specialists in this area, including through the launch of new programmes at leading industry universities.
It is important that more people have the opportunity to buy organic products. It is necessary to ensure availability to the public.
