President Putin stressed that entering the World Trade Organisation was an important factor of Russia’s economic policy.
Entering the WTO will not eliminate the fundamental problems of Russia’s economic development that are to be solved independently.
At the same time it will encourage an increase in competitiveness among local manufacturers.
Drawing up the rules of international trade will provide for a better development of the Russian industry in general, and create better working conditions.
The head of state also pointed to the fact that the market share of the processing industry made up 52.8%, while the rest was still covered by imports.
Mr Putin said the structure of the Russian economy should be changed and democracy strengthened. That is the most important issue and it will cause a response from foreign partners, he said.
President Putin gave a number of directives after the meeting, including to implement a number of measures to increase Russia’s image among western investors, to ensure the transition to the system of international standards in the production of medicines (GMP) from January 1, 2005, and to simplify the process of receiving permissions for industry exports.