At the meeting they discussed various scenarios concerning the functioning of the Russian economy between 2001 and 2003. As Vladimir Putin emphasised, this issue assumes a special importance in Russia following the recent presidential elections and the formation of a new Russian government.
For the first time in recent Russian history, inflation in March amounted to 0.6 percent and GDP is growing quickly; GDP grew by more than 6 percent in March and growth in the first quarter amounted to about 8 percent, Vladimir Putin remarked. This gives experts reason to believe that forecasts concerning Russia’s economic development could improve and that in 2001 the Russian economy will develop more dynamically.
As Economic Development Minister Andrei Shapovaliants told journalists following the meeting, a possible scenario for the functioning of the Russian economy between 2001 and 2003 was approved by the government cabinet. According to the Minister it is expedient to send the document that the cabinet has approved to executive organs in the regions and, thereby, to begin creating a programme to develop the Russian regions, sectoral monopolies and the 2001 federal budget based on these indicators.