Prime Minister thinks it will strengthen the position of Russia in Asia Pacific Region

VLADIVOSTOK, March 15, vladivostoktimes.com Primorsky Territory Governor Sergey DARKIN took part in the Regional Development Government Committee meeting held by the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Vladimir PUTIN during his trip to Kemerovo Region.

Vladimir PUTIN announced that the government would render additional aid to the regions of the Russian Federation due to the world economic crisis. Immediate decisions have already been made to compensate for insufficient regional budget revenues, Primorsky Territory Administration press service reports.

Since January 100 percent of gas excises have been transferred to the budget. Also, 0.5 percent of income tax will be transferred. On the whole it accounts for about 100 billion rubles of additional revenue for the regions.

Besides, the financial aid volume will be increased by 300 billion rubles.

At the meeting Vladimir PUTIN set the priorities for all government bodies: “To pay the salary to the people working in government-financed organizations, to carry out other social obligations provided by federal law, to finance employment and small business support programs, and to continue realization of first-priority national projects keeping in mind that they support domestic demand.”

“300 billion rubles allocated to the regions will help to balance their budgets,” Primorsky Territory Governor Sergey DARKIN said. “Primorsky Territory will get the aid from the federal center. This money will be used to carry out social obligations and finance important programs and projects.”

As Sergey DARKIN noted, during the meeting Vladimir PUTIN had confirmed that 2012 APEC Summit would take place in Vladivostok, and the government didn’t intend to cut the financing of Summit preparation program. “Prime Minister Vladimir PUTIN ranged APEC Summit with the Olympic Games in Sochi, a very important government investment project. Prime Minister believes that APEC Summit will strengthen the position of Russia in Asia Pacific Region and stimulate economic development in Primorsky Territory, which is extremely important today,” Sergey DARKIN said.