Traps for Russia

The government's economic bloc, headed by First Deputy Prime Minister Anton Siluanov, is discussing how to ensure faster growth rates.

The other day, Moscow hosted the largest financial forum, which discussed issues of economic development. Two reformers spoke at one of the venues - German Gref and Anatoly Chubais. Two reformers who at one time seriously influenced the course of state affairs did not agree on the economic situation in the country.

Anatoly Chubais, under whom the economy fell by 15% against the backdrop of extremely low oil prices, compared modern economic authorities to a car that has only two pedals - gas and brake. The gas pedal is the economy, for which Siluanov is responsible. The brake pedal is a law enforcement system. Chubais believes that the government managed to press both pedals so "that the bones crack." According to him, "we have a brilliant budget policy, the best in 28 years, a brilliant, best credit and financial policy in 28 years - fantastic parameters, from debt to GDP to inflation." This was unthinkable in his time. Therefore, according to Chubais, something needs to be done with the pedal, which is called the "law enforcement system."

German Gref, on the contrary, believes that the problem is deeper: the point is the lack of modern management models and understanding of how to develop the economy. “The problem is much more fundamental: Russia is becoming more and more difficult to manage, we are trying to use an old tool, in many ways from Soviet times, and it will not work,” said the former minister of economic development. He believes that there is no business model for the country's economic growth. Moreover, in conditions when, according to him, "we have huge challenges ahead ... A raw material shock called" a decrease in oil consumption in the world and a virtually uncontrolled increase in the supply of oil in the world. According to Gref, this situation will lead to very low oil prices, well below $40 per barrel. He stressed that the country is not yet ready for new risks, and urged to prepare for them now.

Anton Siluanov, in turn, acted as an arbiter and expressed his point of view, arguing that it is necessary to modernize both the law enforcement system and public administration. National projects for which it is planned to spend more than 25 trillion. million rubles over 5 years will probably improve the quality of life: 788 cities and towns will have the opportunity to receive primary medical care, and other cities will not breathe poisoned air.

National projects that are already in the process of implementation will also help small and medium-sized businesses. It is planned to reduce costs, create a more favorable atmosphere for business, instead of insurmountable difficulties already at the stage of registration of a legal entity. As Siluanov noted, all changes in order for business to be able to believe that investments in the Russian economy will give a stable result, the government is ready to guarantee the stability of investment conditions.

No decisions were made at the forum, but the fact that the reformers are arguing is only good for such undertakings. Competent criticism will clarify goals and plans.

Material based on Forbes.ru article