At a meeting with the cabinet members at the Russian Government House, Vladimir Putin expressed satisfaction with the country’s social and economic performance in 2006. The annual economic growth was 6.9%, real per capita incomes have increased by 11.5%, and the stock index has gone up by 65%.
The President said that the main events of the year were the successful implementation of priority national projects, elaboration of government policy in the energy sphere, adoption of the national demographic program, completion of talks with major partners on Russia’s accession to WTO, and formation of effective instruments of financial support for the domestic high-tech industry.
Mr Putin expressed his appreciation of the cabinet work, and emphasized its role in the nation’s steady and dynamic development. The head of state called on the government to keep up the momentum they have gained.