The five-year agriculture plan envisions $21.5 billion from the federal budget and another $21.2 billion from regional coffers. It aims to raise output by 23 percent and the share of domestic products on the market to 70 percent, Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov said, Interfax reported.
The program aims to improve living conditions and equipment in agriculture, where the number of people working has fallen by about 1 million in the last five years, Agriculture Minister Alexei Gordeyev said, Interfax reported.
Ministers also approved a $1.1 billion plan to finance the development of the nanotechnology industry -- the government's new buzzword sector -- from 2008 to 2010. About $975 million will come from the federal budget, Education and Science Minister Andrei Fursenko told the meeting.
The state nanotechnology corporation "should become the connecting link for the realization of projects in the nanotechnology sphere," Fursenko said, noting that it will supply the materials necessary for nanotechnology products.
Industry and Energy Minister Viktor Khristenko proposed developing sub-programs for various industries, including for electronic component manufacturers and the defense industry.
The Cabinet also discussed a $50 million loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development to overhaul the system of property rights registration. The funds would be used to simplify procedures and reduce the waiting times for registering property.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.