A MEETING TOOK PLACE BETWEEN RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN AND THE HEAD OF MORDOVIA ARTEM ZDUNOV
The President held a working meeting with the Head of Mordovia, Artem Zdunov. The regional leader briefed the President on the social and economic situation in the republic.
Vladimir Putin: Artem Alekseevich, how do you assess the situation?
I noticed that in terms of industrial production, there was a 3.5% growth nationwide last year, whereas in your region, it was 8%, which is a significant advantage for the republic. Similarly, the results in agriculture are even better compared to the national average.
But there must surely be issues that require special attention – both on your part and from the Government. Please, let’s discuss them.
Artem Zdunov: Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich, thank you for the opportunity to report on the development of our republic. We are working within the unified national agenda. Of course, a priority direction is supporting the Special Military Operation (SMO), our fighters, and their families. Therefore, our industry, agriculture, and all sectors, including the Defenders of the Fatherland fund, are focused on this main task.
We continuously have medical teams, emergency squads, and construction crews operating in the Kalanchak district of Kherson region, and we are working with them. By the way, a chapel was recently opened there with the blessing of our Most Holy Patriarch, which is also very important. Local priests and our Zinovij Metropolitan of Saransk and Mordovia also visited the site.
You set the task of clearly improving financial discipline. Three years ago, the state debt exceeded our own revenues by more than twice. We have corrected the situation, and now our revenues exceed the state debt, but we are still working to improve this indicator. I believe there is still a lot of work to be done, as the current ratio is around 90 percent. On average, I think it should be about 60-70 percent to function properly.
Of course, we are pleased that we are working with the Ministry of Finance and have a full understanding. We are constantly working to increase wages, and we also have our own reserves in this area. In industry, we have managed to raise salaries, which has led to an influx of people – there was a slight migration into the republic last year. People are coming for new investment projects.
Vladimir Putin: And what about the birth rate?
Artem Zdunov: The birth rate is low. This is a pressing problem for us, the number one issue, and it needs to be addressed. You outlined potential solutions in your Address, so we will now use all the possibilities mentioned in the Address and dedicate all our efforts to this issue.
Regarding wages, we certainly need to improve in the social sector. In industry and agriculture, people are coming and choosing Mordovia as a place to work, but we need to address and enhance this issue in the social sphere.
Over the past year, the Russian Government made two decisive and very swift decisions. We expanded the territory of the PDA (Priority Development Area) Ruzaevka – the most significant railway hub in the Volga region – and created a special economic zone called Sistema. We have promising sectors, including radio electronics, lighting technology, and, in the field of small-tonnage chemicals, optical fiber (where we are the only producers in the Eurasian Economic Union).
Regarding small and medium-sized businesses, there was a 15 percent growth last year. By the way, we have been seeing growth in SME entities for three years now, and the number of people employed in SMEs also increased: there was a 10 percent rise last year.
Regarding the industrial production index, we adopted the investment standard as our foundation. For several years, the Agency for Strategic Initiatives and the Ministry of Economic Development have been working on this. We strictly adhered to the investment standards and noticed that investors began to take interest. We became more open, and understanding grew. We invested in industry, which ensured industrial growth. By the way, for this year, we have already reached 112.5 percent. I believe that we will not only maintain this dynamic growth but also strive to increase it.
Regarding optical fiber, we set the goal of ensuring technological sovereignty, given the limited number of players in the market. This is crucial because it involves broadband internet and uninterrupted connectivity. It is essential for us to build a second plant.
Following your instructions, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia proposed a financial mechanism. This year, we will be able to contract equipment worth 2 billion rubles, but we need 12 billion rubles. Therefore, we suggested including this in the Russian radio-electronic industry program for the next two years. Your support, as well as that of the Government, is crucial. We are working on this issue in detail with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance.
It is very important that we have engaged the Russian Academy of Sciences because scientific competencies are needed for this complex scientific topic.
I wanted to report on wagon construction. Now we are engaged in the production of wagons and refrigerated containers that allow for the transportation of goods over long distances for up to 60 days. These containers maintain both temperature and pressure. They are used for transporting hazardous substances and more. Importantly, we surpass foreign analogs because the lifespan of our refrigerated containers is over 31 years, compared to the typical 25 years for foreign ones. We are entering the market at the right time, and our RM Rail company is now focusing on scientific advancements and expanding production. Last year, production increased by 37 percent. Previously, we spoke of producing 10,000 industrial wagons; now, the target is 13,000 wagons. We are leaders in Russia.
Regarding pharmaceuticals, we traditionally introduce new medications to the market, primarily vital ones. Eighty percent of what the Biokhimik company (part of our Promomed group) produces focuses on combating cancer, tumors, obesity, and similar conditions.
Vladimir Putin: Oncology also requires special attention.
Artem Zdunov: Yes, because the incidence of cancer is higher on average than in the rest of Russia.
Vladimir Putin: That’s why I mentioned it.
Artem Zdunov: We have built an oncology dispensary following your instructions, and early detection rates have sharply increased. This has allowed us to save many lives by identifying cancers at their early stages.
Vladimir Vladimirovich, we also have a request.
Vladimir Putin: So, it's just that the statistics have improved, right?
Artem Zdunov: The statistics for early stages have indeed improved immediately because we now have good equipment and specialists. In this case, it's important for us to continue treating and rehabilitating patients. It is crucial that the hospital adjacent to the oncology dispensary be completed. We have the design documentation and expertise ready, and we have worked with the Ministry of Health on this. A fundamental decision from the Government is needed, and I will report on this as well.
In the agricultural sector, there has been steady growth, with good harvests for two consecutive years, which also improves the feed base. Consequently, we have seen increases in meat, milk, and sugar production. Traditionally, we rank among the top five regions producing organic products.
Vladimir Putin: Over five percent growth in agricultural production.
Artem Zdunov: The main factor has been, both last year and this year, thanks to your decision, that we are purchasing mineral fertilizers on time, applying them on schedule, and monitoring the quality of the produced goods.
Regarding organic products, I wanted to report that the market and demand are expanding. The difference between three years ago and now is significant. We are now working with the Russian Ministry of Agriculture to access external markets, supplying organic products to 10 countries, five of which are members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. This is also important for us.
But I think the time has come, and the Ministry of Agriculture might propose creating a separate focus on this area. It is an interesting direction overall.
Together with the Ministry of Education of Russia, we have reconstructed 38 schools over the past two years. We are now building new children's health camps and also renovating existing ones. Additionally, the Professionalitet program is crucial for us, and we are very grateful for it. We have focused on specific areas: agriculture, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and, of course, we have a unique center for healthy nutrition. For several years, Mordovia has been the center for the All-Russian Conference on School Nutrition. I know Sergey Sergeevich reports on the feedback results.
This year, we also have the Best School Cafeteria competition. Everyone gathers for this event, and we pay close attention to it.
We have reached an international level. We are working in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Cuba, and even Nicaragua. This experience is highly sought after. Importantly, we are also assisting the regions of Novorossiya and Donbas in this regard.
Under the Professionalitet program, we will also apply in the field of pedagogy, which is very important. By the way, regions with strong pedagogical universities (and I consider Mordovia to be one of them) do not have issues with natural science teachers. These teachers are crucial given the current economic development. We are also monitoring the quality in this area closely.
Vladimir Putin: This is an absolute priority for us today.
Artem Zdunov: Therefore, we will also pay close attention to this and apply for the Professionalitet program in pedagogy this year.
I also wanted to mention the counselors. Counselors are the people who are closest to the children; they are not only respected but also trusted. Therefore, we hold a competition among Russian regions for counselor skills and excellence.
Vladimir Putin: How do you organize children’s recreation?
Artem Zdunov: For children's recreation, we first and foremost send our own children and have prepared all the camps in collaboration with regulatory bodies. We also host children from Novorossiya and Belgorod. It is crucial to focus on activities such as patriotic education, the GTO (Ready for Labour and Defense) standards, and knowledge of history. Additionally, we have established a center in one of our children's health camps in partnership with the Movement of the First. We also hold a championship in first aid.
This topic is indeed very interesting. We, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Russia, have taken on the responsibility of training labor collectives, schools, and sports schools. This skill is highly sought after now, and it is essential for everyone to be proficient in it. While waiting for an ambulance to arrive, it is crucial that most people are capable of providing first aid, such as stopping bleeding and restoring breathing.
The same applies to fire safety. We traditionally hold national championships in fire and rescue sports. This is crucial because in the event of an attack or emergency situations, fire damage and harm to the national economy are immediate concerns. Therefore, firefighter training is of fundamental importance. Alexander Vyacheslavovich, the Minister of Emergency Situations, visited us, and we agreed on very precise organization of the championships, including the training of volunteer teams.
Among the problems in the republic, as I mentioned, is the demographic issue. We also need to update public transportation, especially in the city of Saransk. Therefore, we will be engaging with infrastructure budget loans (IBK), which we previously could not access due to debt. Our primary focus will be on public transportation, municipal roads, and the sewage system. We will work on restoring Gorvodokanal as well.
Regarding healthcare, I wanted to report that Mordovia traditionally has a higher number of doctors compared to the national average. This is due to our participation in programs implementing your initiatives and ensuring decent working conditions for doctors.
Our university has put forward an initiative, and we will transfer a clinical base to them in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Science. This base will include the best departments of orthopedics, hospital surgery, traumatology, rehabilitation, and, importantly, adaptation. Our primary focus will be on supporting fighters. We will direct the full power of our university and clinical sciences towards supporting fighters and their families, focusing on recovery, adaptation, and rehabilitation. We aim to establish a major center, and together with Rosimushchestvo and the Ministry of Education and Science, we plan to address this issue within the current year.
Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich, we have the Sanaksar Monastery, where the relics of the Holy Righteous Warrior Fyodor Ushakov, our undefeated admiral, are laid to rest. Following your instructions, we are developing a unified cluster of Sarov-Diveevo-Arzamas-Sanaksar. By the way, this year, for the first time since 1953, we are making a film about Fyodor Ushakov. He never surrendered a single fighter and never lost a battle.
Additionally, it's interesting to note that I carefully reviewed the script (by the way, the film is being produced with support from the Presidential Grants Fund – the Fund for Cultural Initiatives). The film will mainly focus on his life in Mordovia, specifically in the territory of modern Mordovia in 1812. He was involved in organizing local militias and mobilization efforts. The problems he faced were similar to those we have today, with the same challenges and treacherous enemies, but he overcame them all. In Mordovia, he is known not just as an admiral but as a religious and community-oriented figure. We will be constructing a road as part of this initiative.
Vladimir Vladimirovich, we invite you to visit our republic. We are looking forward to your arrival.
Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much.
Artem Zdunov: Thank you.
Transcript and photos: kremlin.ru.