The third issue

** Government of the Russian Federation **

The government at its next meeting as a whole approved a scheme for the placement of production capacities in the territory of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), represented by the President of the Republic V.Shtyrov .

Prime Minister M. Fradkov , summing up the discussion "The topic of the integrated placement of production forces is relevant, therefore, the consideration of this issue at the government meeting was timely." He also noted that the experience of Yakutia in the development of such a scheme can be taken into account in the preparation of similar schemes in other regions.

* * * During the meeting, the head of the Ministry of Finance A. Kudrin suggested that the regions pay attention to the ability to replenish their budgets by selling their shares of enterprises.

* * * President of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) V. Shtrov said that:

... It is necessary to start without the auction the development of the Chayanda gas field. And he proposes to give the Chayanda gas field the status of the federal.

... The total volume of investments in the diamond producing industry of Yakutia in the period 2007-2015. will amount to 180 billion rubles.

... Gold mining in Yakutia by 2020 can reach 40-45 tons per year. According to him, by 2015 it is planned to increase the volume of gold production in the republic by 10-15 tons per year. The main plans to increase gold production in Yakutia are associated with three large projects that are implemented in the Republic of Norilsk Nickel and Pole Gold.

The government approved the federal target program / FCP / "National Technological Base" for 2007-2011 of January 29 N54, the government press service said.

** Federal Assembly **

Council of the Federation

The Chairman of the Council of the Federation of the Russian Federation S. Mironov does not exclude that after a certain time Russia will return to the direct elections of the governors. As the speaker noted to return to the elections of the heads of regions, society must feel that he needs it. At the same time, the speaker emphasized that the current procedure for the appointment of the heads of regions is completely democratic. He compared him to the US presidential election by a collegium of electors.

In addition, S. Mironov noted that he advocates preserving the election of senior officials in the local government. He stated that this is his fundamental position.

State Duma

The State Duma Committee on the regulations agreed to update its name with the proposal of the Rodina faction - from now on it will be called "Fair Russia - Homeland." This decision was made at a meeting of the Committee, said a member of the Council of the S. Chaplinsky faction.

The Duma Committee on Regulations refused S. Baburin and his supporters in the formation of a new faction called the "People's Patriotic Union" , said the head of the committee O. Kovalev.

** Regional news **

The economic rise in the Murmansk region considers the governor Yu.evdokimov in his work. Among the priority areas, he also called "maintaining a favorable climate for the development of small and medium -sized businesses, the creation of a strong base for the new in the field of industry - oil and gas, the implementation of national projects, and the implementation of the development plans of the Murmansk transport hub." The governor intends to achieve the intended, together with the regional branch of the United Russia political party, the list of which he heads in the upcoming elections to the regional Duma.

Sochi is mainly ready for the arrival of experts of the appraisal commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), said Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Economic Policy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism Yu. Barzykin .

He said that on specially built observation sites, the IOC experts will be represented by models of Olympic objects. “The most important thing is that the construction of the Olympic structures is supported by the federal target program“ Development of Sochi as a city-clip resort (2006-2014), which is guaranteed by the federal target program ”. By the way, our main cities of Salzburg and Pyngchenga, as far as I know, so far there are no such guarantees,” the parliamentarian noted.

The government approved the creation of a tourist-recreational special economic zone (SEZ) in the Stavropol Territory.

** Political parties and movements **

The leader of the United Russia party, the chairman of the State Duma B. Gryzlov, said that the United Russia faction does not offer his candidate for the post of head of the Central Election Commission.

** Media News **

Participants in the All -Russian Conference "Media and Elections", which is organized by the "Mediasoyuz" and the Commission of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation for freedom of speech, propose to introduce a number of amendments to the legislation regarding the activities of the media during election companies. As follows from the draft conference resolution, the essence of the proposed amendments boils down to more to protect the media and journalists from responsibility for the unscrupulous maintenance of election companies by its direct participants.

** Scandals and incidents. Rumors **

The Prosecutor General’s Office brought the ex -Senator L. Chakhmovan the prosecution under part 4 of Article 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation - “the theft of someone else's property on an especially large scale,” the report of the Prosecutor General said.

The recent incident in the ski French resort Kurchevel, where the police detained the co -owner of Interros M. Prokhorov, did not arouse much interest among Russians, sociologists testify. According to the VTsIOM survey, only 5% of Russians actively discussed this topic, another 22% touched it in conversations with loved ones, while the majority (67%) did not talk about these events. The behavior of wealthy Russians in Curses causes indifference in 44% of respondents, 35%, according to them, relate to him with indignation, and only 3% with approval.

** Resignation and purpose **

President V. Putin signed a decree on the dismissal of Oleg Khlupin from the post of Deputy Minister of Justice of the Russian Federation, the presidential press service said.

** Economic news **

The head of the Ministry of Economic Development of Group said that:

... It considers it possible to reduce the VAT rate from 2009 to 15% from 18% while canceling the preferential VAT rate.

... the introduction of sales tax instead of VAT is not feasible.

... Due to the deficit of the Pension Fund, it is unlikely that the UST rate will be reduced.

... The progressive income tax scale will be returned, but not earlier than 2010.

... Further privatization of Rosneft OJSC will depend on the company's investment plans. Such a sale is fundamentally possible in order to attract investment in the company. But again, this is not an end in itself.

... After the 2008 election, the economic policy course will remain, but does not see himself as an official.

The gold and foreign exchange reserves of Russia reached the next record value. As of February 2, their volume amounted to $ 304.6 billion, the Department of Foreign and Public Relations of the Bank of Russia said. Meanwhile, as of January 26, it amounted to $ 303.8 billion. Thus, in a week, gold and foreign exchange reserves increased by $ 0.8 billion.

** Banking news **

The Bank of Russia recognized as an an auction on Thursday February 8, 2007 for the sale of bonds of the Bank of Russia / Rig / issue N 4-03-30BR0-4 / Series 03 / in the amount of 10 billion rubles. This was announced by the Department of operations in the financial markets of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation.

** Companies news **

The Supervisory Board of the Alrosa Diamond AK approved the issue of the early termination of the powers of its president A. Nichiporuk and elected the new head of the company general director of the Alrosa investment group S. Zabornov , the company said. S. Zabornov will take office on February 9.

OJSC Polymetal at its enterprises increased in 2006 the production of gold by 5% to 256 thousand ounces, and reduced silver production by 9% to 17.3 million ounces, compared with a year earlier, the company said.

TGK-6 OJSC plans to place at the end of February 2007 on the MICENSNET MICEN BURGE OF THE BURNTION OF THE BURNTION in the amount of 2 billion rubles. The period of circulation is 5 years.

The Executive Chairman of the Rambler Media Limited R. Braun sold 0.6% (10 thousand) shares of the company, the Rambler Media report said. The transaction value is not disclosed.

The share of ten insurance companies - compulsory insurance leaders of auto -citizenship (OSAGO) accounted for 61.3% of total fees and 62.1% of total payments in 2006, the Russian Union of Auto -Strakhovtors said.

Read about the further development of events in the next issue of the monitor at 19 o’clock.