Agenda: preparing the draft federal budget for 2026-2028 for the second reading in the State Duma, budgetary allocations for buying medical equipment for the Kursk Region, supporting residents of the Kaliningrad Region’s special economic zone and tourist infrastructure development projects in the North Caucasus.
Government meeting
Government meeting
Government meeting
Excerpts from the transcript:
Mikhail Mishustin: Good afternoon, colleagues.
We will begin our meeting today with an extremely important issue. The first reading of the draft federal budget for the next three years was held in the State Duma yesterday. It is a crucial stage for the approval of the main parameters of the national financial document.
I would like to thank everyone for their assistance, in particular Vyacheslav Volodin, the heads of relevant committees, and, of course. all deputies who supported our proposals and discussed the document with Government members.
The budget was formulated with due regard for the national goals set out by the President and for the current challenges. It is a balanced document aimed at promoting national development.
During a meeting with Vyacheslav Volodin before its first reading, we discussed various initiatives and requests we received from deputies and various public associations.
Mr Siluanov, I would like you to thoroughly analyse all of them when preparing the draft budget for the second reading so that all issues raised by the deputies and public organisations are taken into account as much as possible.
The other day we also held an in-depth discussion of the draft budget with Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko. I would like you to seriously consider the proposals we have received from the senators when preparing amendments.
The agenda of today’s Government meeting includes a number of important issues that have to do with support for the regions. Let us begin with the Kursk Region.
As the President has pointed out, we need well-equipped medical facilities to enhance the efficiency of the national healthcare system.
The Government is dealing with these issues systemically through the implementation of the relevant federal project for the creation and development of the necessary infrastructure. Our ambulance stations, hospitals and outpatient clinics must have modern equipment for the prevention and treatment of diseases, and for the maintenance of our citizens’ health and lives.
We will allocate over 700 million roubles for this purpose. These funds will be used to buy medical equipment for the Kursk Region, including ultrasound and CT machines, cardiopulmonary resuscitation equipment, and eye microsurgery instruments. Overall, we need to buy about 500 various products for regional healthcare facilities.
This will help expand the range of medical care opportunities and enhance its affordability and quality, so as to ensure timely check-ups and qualified medical treatment for the residents of border cities and towns.
Here is one more thing. As the President has emphasised, the Kaliningrad Region is the westernmost Russian territory and therefore has a unique location. The Government devotes much attention to developing its social sphere and economic potential. Quite recently, we had a detailed discussion concerning support of exporters and boosting of overall economic efficiency at the Made in Russia International Export Forum, as well as at a strategic session this past Tuesday.
Earlier, we discussed in detail various essential measures for the region at our meetings with senators. This also included the operation of the special economic zone in the territory, where about 300 projects worth hundreds of billions of roubles in various sectors, from the automotive industry to foodstuffs manufacture, are implemented.
We will now discuss a legislative initiative that will more effectively guarantee the preservation of current tax and customs preferences for residents of the Kaliningrad special economic zone. The initiative aims to create a special compensation mechanism during the implementation of investment projects, and it will create a more comfortable business environment in the region.
The amendments are to enter into force on 1 January 2027, after the next federal budget is finalised.
Another issue deals with tourism in the North Caucasus. This is a distinguishing feature of the macro-region and one of the most popular sectors with investors. It has an impressive economic potential. We had a detailed discussion of the future development of the region’s hospitality industry at the Caucasus Investment Forum.
As per the President’s instruction, we are developing options for attracting businesses into establishing all-season tourist camps and alpine skiing resorts there.
The most popular places include the slopes of the Greater Caucasus Range. Last year alone, over one million people visited them. It is important to continue expanding the required tourism infrastructure there. For this purpose, we will approve the main terms for those signing concession agreements. These terms will deal with the construction and use of ski routes, cableways and other alpine skiing facilities. Special-purpose equipment will be purchased.
Four billion roubles are earmarked for these purposes in the 2025 budget, and eight billion roubles will be allocated for the next two years.
This will help develop the territory more actively,
make it more attractive for investors, thus making it possible to create dozens
of kilometres of ski routes and to expand the potential of hotels, cafes and restaurants. It is necessary to utilise the unique advantages of the North
Caucasus, including the local climate and nature, to the greatest possible
extent and to create comfortable conditions for diverse leisure opportunities.
I am confident that this will attract travellers from our country and abroad.
