At the meeting the participants discussed the issues covering strategic development of local self-government in Russia, the role of the Russian cities in the country’s economic development, and coordination of the municipal authorities’ efforts.
At the meeting Mr Putin, the Acting Russian President, spoke of the necessity to attain a 7%-10% economic growth, naming the food and light industries and engineering as the basic industries that could guarantee a rapid economic growth.
Mr Putin also spoke about the special role of small and medium business in the Russia’s economic development, pointing out that economic sector should be bureaucracy-free.
He also drew special attention to the fact that no large-scale economic problem could be solved unless local self-government and state authorities coordinate their efforts.
Further Mr Putin spoke in favour of the mortgage lending programme development and preservation of the municipal housing programme.