ANDREY KASHEVAROV: INCREASING COMPETITIVENESS AND STIMULATING INNOVATIONS IS A FOUNDATION FOR REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Kirov region joined those pursuing the National Competition Development Plan

On 26 July 2018, Deputy Head of FAS Andrey Kashevarov and Governor of the Kirov region, Igor Vasiliev, chaired a meeting at the regional Government on implementing the National Plan, approved by the President of Russia in December 2017, and Presidential Orders issued following the State Council.

“In comparison with other regions, Kirov looks quite good in competition development. It is corroborated by a fact that the key targets set at the federal level are already achieved in some sectors: 3 are 100% fulfilled, and in 6 the results exceed 90%. Education, the housing-and-utility sector and construction are among the most successful”, pointed out Andrey Kashevarov.

For example, in the agro-industrial complex the targets are exceeded in livestock breeding and seed farming. In construction the targets are reached in residential housing construction and cadastre and land use works. In the social sphere: retail trade with medicines and medical products, pre-school education services and children leisure and recreation services. According to preliminary estimates, the share of private business in the region exceeds the thresholds in 23 sectors.

“In the ranking of Russian regions by intensity of competition and the state of competitive environment, Kirov moved up 12 positions from 2015 to 2016. A good basis for this is created in the region”, said Deputy Head of FAS.  “Increasing competitiveness and stimulating innovations of markets participants, expanding the range of products and services is a foundation for economic development of the region”.

“Developing competition is an important and necessary step to form healthy economy that both reduces prices and improves the quality of goods and services due to competition between market participants”, emphasized Igor Vasiliev.

Kirov Governor approved the 2017 - 2018 Road Map for developing competition in the Kirov region and the List of priority and socially important markets in November 2017.

Upon an OFAS initiative, the region adopted a temporary procedure for interaction between regional executive bodies when drafting and concluding concession agreements, the subject matter of which are heating supply facilities, district hot and cold water supply and drainage systems, separate units of such systems. The procedure regulates organization, consideration and approval of concession agreements signed by concessionaries and municipalities.

In the near future the Kirov Government will approve 33 out of the proposed 41 key indicators for competition development and an Action Plan designed to increase presence of small business in the sectors of the regional economy.

Representatives of regional executive bodies, companies and business associations attended the event.