Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation on economic issues Andrei Illarionov considers the Investment Fund of the Russian Federation one of the most striking examples of lobbying activities. He expressed this opinion today in a conversation with reporters. He noted that thanks to this project, the money earned by some will be distributed among others.

Earlier today, the head of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Russian Federation, German Gref, announced that a resolution on the Investment Fund of the Russian Federation will be signed in the near future. Let us remember that its volume in 2006 was . planned at the level of 70 billion rubles. Projects with a total value of at least 5 billion rubles will be co-financed from this fund.

In addition, A. Illarionov said that the Russian Stabilization Fund, at the current cut-off price for oil for its formation (20 dollars per barrel), is not coping with the task of reducing inflation. He again expressed the opinion that inflation in 2005. will be 11-11.5%, thus, the growth in consumer prices will be at a higher level than expected (8.5-10%). “This suggests that the cut-off price of $20 per barrel turned out to be high and the Stabilization Fund is not coping with the task of reducing inflation,” noted A. Illarionov. Therefore, according to him, in order for the rate of inflation to slow down, it is necessary to reduce the oil cut-off price for the formation of the Stabilization Fund.

At the same time, the presidential adviser recalled that the Russian government made the opposite decision - namely, to increase in 2006. oil cut-off price to $27 per barrel. “It is not clear how increasing the cut-off price will lead to lower inflation,” he said. A. Illarionov considers it necessary to reduce the cut-off price for oil to at least 17 dollars per barrel, and if the existing oil price remains unchanged, to 12 dollars per barrel. “Such proposals are contained in my package of anti-inflationary measures,” he concluded.

In addition, the presidential adviser noted a shift in emphasis in economic policy. According to him, this is evidenced by the latest personnel changes in the government and the presidential administration. Previously, the main goal was to double GDP, and this goal was set in order to maintain high rates of economic growth. However, this task was not supported by appropriate personnel decisions.

A. Illarionov also noted that over the past seven years, GDP has increased by only 55%, so the task of doubling GDP is not feasible.

Now national projects are put at the forefront, and this task is supported by structural changes. Thus, the government demonstrates that the main thing is not economic growth, not the creation of more favorable conditions for doing business, but national projects, which come down to consumption and distribution, noted A. Illarionov.

A. Illarionov: The investment fund is a product of lobbying activities