The meeting addressed adjustments to the parameters of the federal budget for this year and priority budget expenditures.
First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Alexei Kudrin presented the Government Cabinet’s suggestions on adjusting budget policy.
Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov talked about indexing the social welfare benefits planned for 2009, and stated that fulfilling social obligations is a priority for the Government.
The head of state emphasized that all measures to support the financial system and the real economy sector must create favourable conditions for the country’s stable development in the medium term and facilitate the greatest possible increase of internal demand for Russian-made manufactured goods.
The head of state noted in particular that anti-crisis measures which are being developed and implemented by government leaders must include a clear plan of action that is understandable to all citizens.
The meeting was also attended by Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Naryshkin, Presidential Aide Arkady Dvorkovich, First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov, Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Sobyanin, Economic Development Minister Elvira Nabiullina, Chairman of the Central Bank Sergei Ignatyev and his First Deputy Alexey Ulyukayev.