Agenda: preferential loans for agricultural producers, progress in implementing the Far East concession mechanism, and preparations for opening Games of the Future in Kazan.
Mikhail Mishustin’s opening remarks
Yury Trutnev’s report on progress in implementing the Far East concession mechanism
Dmitry Chernyshenko’s report on preparations for opening Games of the Future in Kazan
Excerpts from the transcript:
Mikhail Mishustin: Good morning, colleagues.
Meeting with deputy prime ministers on current issues
The President has repeatedly noted the need to improve the efficiency of state support instruments for the agro-industrial complex, including soft loans.
The Government will allocate 20 billion roubles to the Ministry of Agriculture for this purpose. This decision will help to provide our farmers with investment and short-term loans at a reduced rate.
The funds can be used for seasonal field work, which is very important today, when Russian regions have already begun preparations for the spring sowing campaign.
Such financing will make it possible to implement major investment projects in the industry. These will not only help to expand production, but also to increase the volume of agricultural raw materials processed at domestic facilities.
I emphasise that farmers must be provided with these resources promptly. And I ask you to monitor the implementation of this task to ensure the continued supply of high-quality and diverse food products to consumers in Russia.
The next question concerns the Far East.
The Government continues to implement a set of measures to make the constituent entities of this federal district more comfortable to live in, do business or have a holiday.
This includes plans for the social development of centres of economic growth, which were established at the President's initiative. They involve the creation and modernisation of infrastructure that is in demand by residents: kindergartens, schools, hospitals and outpatient clinics, housing and utilities, roads, as well as improvement of public spaces.
One of the tools for implementing such projects is the Far Eastern concession. With this instrument, the government guarantees companies a return on their investments and minimisation of the associated risks.
This form of partnership has already proved its effectiveness. Now we will allocate over 40 billion roubles for its implementation. These funds will be used to co-finance the costs of concession agreements’ realisaion, in cases where their duration is longer than the period of validity of the budgetary commitment limits.
Mr Trutnev, please tell us in detail how this mechanism works and what projects will be realised thanks to this instrument.
Yury Trutnev’s report at the meeting with deputy prime ministers on current issues
Yury Trutnev: Mr Mishustin, colleagues.
The mechanism of Far Eastern concession was adopted in accordance with the Government’s decision. It permits the use of private investment in the construction of medical, sports and engineering infrastructure, as well as educational and cultural facilities, thus improving the quality of life of people in the Far East.
In 2022–2023, 96 billion roubles were allocated for the construction of facilities in nine regions as part of the Far Eastern concession.
In particular, four schools, a rehabilitation centre, a health centre with a swimming pool, a ski stadium and a sea tourist centre are being built in the Magadan Region.
A contemporary ski resort was built in Arsenyev, and a school in Vladivostok, Primorye Territory.
The Khabarovsk Territory has a new children’s recreation camp and the Far Eastern Art Museum.
In the Kamchatka Territory, a new public centre will be built, and the capital’s central square will be improved.
In Buryatia, there will be a national museum and the Baikal Theatre.
A hotel and a sports complex are under construction in Ugolnye Kopi, Chukotka.
In the Trans-Baikal Territory, a new street lighting system is being installed, and there will be an archery centre and a martial arts facility in Chita, as well as utility facilities in the township of Pervomaisky.
In the Jewish Autonomous Region, the lighting system in Birobidzhan will be renovated.
In Yakutia, four oil bases will be reconstructed, crucial for the delivery of goods to the northern and remote areas.
Mr Mishustin, in 2024 and subsequent years, the Far Eastern concession will be even more important as it will be a vital way of funding the renovation programme in Far Eastern cities that is being implemented by the Government in accordance with the President’s instructions.
As you know, the programme will include improving living conditions in 25 cities and building a new satellite town. More than 4 million people, that is, half of the population of the Far East, will benefit from this project. To this end, 165 billion roubles will be allocated from the federal budget in 2024–2026.
The work has already begun; we will report to you on its progress.
Mikhail Mishustin: Thank you, Mr Trutnev.
Developing the Russian Far East is among our top priorities. Without a doubt, we must ensure more comfortable standards of living in these regions. Please keep an eye on this as well as matters related to the Far Eastern concession.
Here’s another meaningful issue. Next week will see the opening of the first-ever Games of the Future, which is a major event. As you are aware, this new international innovation-driven tournament will take place in Kazan, Tatarstan, as per Presidential decision. The opening ceremony will take place on 21 February.
There will be five competition categories on real and virtual platforms. Over 270 teams will showcase their skills in more than 20 cross-disciplinary competitions involving conventional sports and digital information technology.
Interest in this format is on the rise and many countries plan to develop it domestically. It is critical for fans around the world to be able to follow the competitions in Tatarstan.
Mr Chernyshenko, I would like you to update us on preparations for this major event.
Dmitry Chernyshenko’s report at the meeting with deputy prime ministers on current issues
Dmitry Chernyshenko: Mr Mishustin, colleagues.
The preparations for the Games of the Future follow the guidelines provided in the executive order issued by President Vladimir Putin.
As you noted, the opening ceremony for this first-ever international multisport tournament is 21 February. The Games of the Future will run two weeks through 3 March.
The organising committee has done a lot to get ready for the tournament. A dedicated federal law was adopted to organise this unique event. This innovative phygital format of the Games of the Future is strongly supported both across the country and abroad. Its key advantage is to form a balanced individual who excels in traditional sports and cyber disciplines.
Regional branches of the National Phygital Sports Federation are operating in more than 60 Russian regions. Mr Mishustin, as you accurately noted, 277 teams have confirmed their participation.
This open competition format is based on equality and fairness. Russia has always maintained that sports should be beyond politics.
The competitions will be held in 23 innovative disciplines, including phygital football, hockey, basketball, martial arts, cyber and tactical combat, robot battles, drone races, and much more.
We are now in the final stage of preparations with all related activities running on schedule. The day before yesterday, Mr Minnikhanov and I personally checked the operational readiness of the venues and tested the equipment. All systems are go.
Ten facilities will be used for the competitions: eight in Kazan, one in Innopolis, and one at Sirius which will host Formula-4 races and virtual races.
The main operational centre will provide overall coordination for the games. The first participants will arrive in Kazan on 15 February. As is customary, more than 2,000 volunteers from different Russian regions and foreign countries will be helping us.
Information and reference centres will be opened at tournament venues within the next few days. Competition participants will have access to services, transport, and accommodation.
More than 600 Russian and foreign media outlets will cover the tournament.
National television channels and digital platforms such as VK Play and Trovo will do the broadcasting.
Ticket sales are strong. The demand is enormous, I would even say overwhelming. I encourage everyone to attend the Games of the Future events and follow the competitions online.
Mikhail Mishustin: Thank you, Mr Chernyshenko.
Importantly, the events must be held at the highest level so that fans from different countries can follow the competitions and enjoy the show.
I wish Russian athletes fair play and victories.
