The event was attended by: Sergey Kalashnikov, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Economic Policy; Andrey Razbrodin, Chairman of the RF CCI Committee on Entrepreneurship in Textile and Light Industry; Yuri Vazhenin, member of the Federation Council Committee on Economic Policy; Nikolay Lipatnikov, President of the Vyatka CCI; Antonina Katyanina, President of the Bryansk CCI; Executive Director of the CCI of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) Nadezhda Suburusskaya; Chairman of the RF CCI Committee on Financial Markets and Credit Organizations Vladimir Gamza; Chairman of the RF CCI Committee on Entrepreneurship in Housing and Communal Services Andrey Shirokov.

Opening the meeting, Vice-President of the CCI of the Russian Federation Dmitry Kurochkin noted that one of the priorities of the CCI of Russia is the work aimed at improving the competitiveness of the economy, and the release of the first report, which is planned to be made annual, is of great importance. The Chamber sent this draft to the committees and councils of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, business associations and member organizations for further discussion, preparation of proposals and comments, and they have already begun to arrive.Dmitry Kurochkin also recalled that, following the results of the meeting of the State Council held on April 5, 2018 under the chairmanship of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the priority areas of activity of the subjects of the Russian Federation to promote competition in the country, which was attended by the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation S.N.Katyrin, a number of important decisions that will contribute to improving the competitiveness of Russian products and through strengthening domestic competition.

Konstantin Babkin, Chairman of the Council of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation for Industrial Development and Competitiveness of the Russian Economy, made a report "On changes in the competitiveness of the Russian economy in 2017". He elaborated on the main parameters that affect the competitiveness of the economy. In particular, he noted that the past year was not easy for manufacturing enterprises. Although the Government has made a number of efforts aimed at improving business conditions, stimulating investment activity and supporting small and medium-sized businesses, the overall economic background remains complex and uncompetitive compared to other industrialized countries.

The Central Bank's tough policy continued, although there was also some easing of monetary policy. Thus, the key rate was reduced by 2.25%, which immediately led to a reduction in loan rates. However, the general vector of monetary policy remained unchanged. The past year was marked by a widespread increase in tariffs, excise taxes and tax rates, and such measures were introduced simultaneously with the tightening of the rules of control and collection of mandatory payments. The costs of enterprises for cargo transportation and energy resources have increased significantly. Administrative pressure on business continued, which did not contribute to improving the economic climate in the country and increasing business activity.

Konstantin Babkin expressed gratitude to the heads of regional chambers, committees of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, associations of entrepreneurs for the comments and suggestions submitted to the draft Report under discussion.

At the end of the meeting, the participants were invited to summarize comments and suggestions on the draft Report and come up with a proposal to consider it at the next meeting of the Board of the CCI of the Russian Federation.

News and photo source:Soyuzlegprom