11 September 2023
KEY CONCLUSIONS
The sanctions pressure contributed to the rapid
transformation of the Russian economy, improvement of the public administration
system and failed to have the expected negative impact on the economic
performance of the EAEU countries
“There is no doubt that the unprecedented
sanctions pressure on Russia, contrary to the expectations of unfriendly
countries, has given a powerful impetus to the accelerated transformation of
the economy, has served as a stimulus for the undoubtedly increased stability
in the development of our country. The measures taken by the President of the
Russian Federation and the Government of the Russian Federation have made it possible
not only to resist the negative impact of sanctions, but have also led to a
rapid change in the structure of the economy. In the second quarter of this
year, it grew by 4.9% [relative to the previous year, – Ed.], with a
number of industries demonstrating even more serious growth,” Ivan Lobanov,
Rector, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics.
“GDP growth is indeed
a fait accompli, and our GDP growth forecast is quite positive,” Alexander
Shokhin, President, Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs.
“Are these sanctions achieving their goals?
I think that in order to answer this question objectively, we need to look at
economic statistics. If you remember, if you take the Eurasian Economic Union,
the “Western oracles” predicted that we would fall to 3% of the Union’s total
GDP by the end of 2022. As a result, according to actual figures, our reduction
has shrunk twice. It means we have dumped this reduction, including through the
very integration processes that we are actively developing. <...> A
number of countries of the Union showed outstanding results in 2022 in terms of
gross domestic product growth in real terms,” Dmitry Volvach, Deputy Minister
of Economic Development of the Russian Federation.
“The sanctions have
indeed provided an incentive to improve the public administration system, but
there is still a lot to be done,” Galina Izotova, Acting Chairman, Accounts
Chamber of the Russian Federation.
“According to our estimates, mutual trade
between the EAEU member states in the first half of this year grew by another
11% year-over-year and has already totalled RUB 3.1 trillion. The trend for
growth, the trend to turn to the domestic market – it is continuing,” Dmitry
Volvach, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation.
Enterprises received a positive effect and
adapted to the sanctions
“Unlike many others,
our corporation has been living under sanctions practically since 2014.
<...> Rostec State Corporation has managed to adapt to the sanctions, and
in this regard, it will suffice it to mention just one figure – we managed to
generate revenue of over RUB 2.2 trillion last year,” Nikolay Volobuev, Deputy
General Director, Russian Technologies State Corporation.
“Is there any effect
from the sanctions? Of course, there is. A tremendous effect. <...>
Certainly, we can say that our enterprises have received only positive effects
from it,” Kirill Bychkov, First Deputy Chairman of the Government of the
Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).
PROBLEMS
The role of the public administration is
currently insufficient to solve the problems in the economy. In addition, it is
necessary to solve the problem with human resources
“Undoubtedly, the current situation requires
strengthening the role of public administration. Without certain regulation,
without strengthening public administration, it is impossible to solve a huge
number of problems that have happened to our economy. There is a need for
constant in-depth analysis and development of well-balanced decisions and proposals
based on it, and their implementation,” Galina Izotova, Acting Chairman,
Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation.
“There is a huge
shortage of staff today, and a big request from our leading companies,” Denis
Kravchenko, Deputy Chairman of the Committee of the State Duma of the Federal
Assembly of the Russian Federation on Economic Policy.
“The biggest trouble
at the moment is not even money... it is staffing. The numbers are nightmarish,
horrifying,” Evgeniy Popov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee of the State Duma
of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Information Policy,
Information Technologies and Communications; Anchor, Russia-1 Channel.
“In fact, if you ask
at least SMEs what number one problem is today, they will answer that it is
people. People who need to work with the equipment. <...> This is the
biggest problem that we all face today,” Dmitry Viktorov, Director, NPO Akonit.
“Of course, there are
relevant problems for us. They are not only in personnel training. The most
important problem lies in radio electronics and IT,” Nikolay Volobuev, Deputy
General Director, Russian Technologies State Corporation.
SOLUTIONS
New educational programmes will help to solve
the staffing problem
“We must be sure to
form a special programme to train the personnel needed to achieve technological
sovereignty,” Denis Kravchenko, Deputy Chairman of the Committee of the State
Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Economic Policy.
“Of course, modern technologies
are impossible without education, so we pay a lot of attention to education. In
particular, with Plekhanov Russian Economic University we are opening a
laboratory for Industry 4.0, launching additional programmes for the education
of roboteers and engineers,” Dmitry Viktorov, Director, NPO Akonit.
“We need to develop
human capital, because in the era of technology people determine a lot. That is
why we are also working on various forms of support for scientists and
technological entrepreneurs,” Alexey Fedorov, “Quantum Information
Technologies” Scientific Group Head, Russian Quantum Center; Head of the
Laboratory of Quantum Information Technologies, MISIS University.
“We are preparing a
proposal to increase the enrolment targets in IT directions,” Nikolay Volobuev,
Deputy General Director, Russian Technologies State Corporation.
High-tech industries are starting to rebuild,
but businesses need long and cheap money
“The Soviet Union was
among the leaders in the field of electronics and microelectronics, and today
we are recreating this industry at a new level. <...> It is imperative to
complete the so-called tax manoeuvre in the field of electronics,” Konstantin
Dolgov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Economic Policy of the Federation
Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.
“We are already
developing AI technologies, first of all in aircraft construction, automotive,
radio electronics, and automotive engineering,” Nikolay Volobuev, Deputy
General Director, Russian Technologies State Corporation.
“What is needed? Long
and cheap money. Nothing has changed. Of course, the government has the right
to demand in return for help. But we have to give it today. <...> It is
impossible to talk about active industrial development at the rate of 12%,” Konstantin
Dolgov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Economic Policy of the Federation
Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.
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