Medvedev: Russia’s rescue package to secure social obligations

GORKI, Moscow Region, Feb 2 (PRIME) -- The fulfillment of social obligations remains priority of the government’s crisis plan for 2016, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said at a meeting with the government on Tuesday.

“The first part (of the draft plan) contains measures which will allow us to respond to worsening external conditions, to support the economy and our people, our citizens. The priority is the fulfillment of social obligations, maintaining satisfactory conditions on the labor market,” he said.

The rescue package envisages no increase of retirement age, Medvedev also said.

The draft plan foresees support to exporters, particularly of innovative and high-tech products, and some economic branches, including agriculture, car production, consumer good manufacturing, transport and agricultural machine building and construction of housing, he said.

The draft bailout plan also stipulates some structural measures to secure social and economic development of the country in the middle run, Medvedev said.

“The second part envisages structural measures, which are necessary to reach sustainable growth. The proposed decisions must improve regulation, decrease economic costs. The goal is to improve business conditions in Russia further and, of course, to improve investment climate. This work must be continued,” the prime minister said.

The government will discuss the draft crisis bailout plan with parliament and with governors to make a final decision.

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