Exclusive Interview - Review of Russian Airport Reconstruction & Development

Jan. 30, 2013 - PRLog -- Construction IQ: Hello, Construction IQ is happy to welcome you. This interview takes place on the threshold of the Airport Reconstruction and Development Russia and CIS Forum. Andrey Pavlov, Director of the Forum, will be with you today. My guest is the Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, Mr Sergey Yuryevich Belyakov. Good afternoon Mr Belyakov! Thank you for having agreed to take part in our interview. Let’s begin with the first question. This year, Russia accessed to the WTO. Integration of the Russian economy into the global economy continues. There are no doubts that Russia plays a special role in the international transport system thanks to its geographical position. Development of transport infrastructure is an important driving force for the economic development of the country. In your opinion, which measures shall be taken by the Government and, in particular, by the Ministry of Economic Development to develop the transport system of the country?

S. Belyakov: Well, first of all, it needs to be said that Russia is already integrated into the world system and the global economy. It not our view, though, we could indulge in wishful thinking. This is the view of foreign investors which they have just familiarised us with. This is the result of the researches. It may be also a result of prolonged negotiations for the WTO accession where we have already prepared the according legislation and, as a matter of fact, already are a part of the global economy. And the WTO accession became the result of it, the quintessence. Without any doubts, there are certain demands on the development of transport infrastructure in this connection. However, this is not or is only a part of the reason. The true reason is that, generally, it’s hard to imagine the development of the Russian economy without the development of transport infrastructure. It also includes the mobility of population, as well as the more effective, high-quality and cheaper cargo delivery and goods transfer across Russia. Russia is a big country with the enormous needs for infrastructure. But, of course, no budget funds and state investments will suffice to realise these needs. Therefore, we are interested in attracting private capital.

Construction IQ: Short-haul aircrafts are required to develop regional aviation. Recently, our Prime Minister, Mr Medvedev, has set the task to not only work on creation of the new airplanes, but also reduce import duties for the foreign airplanes. What do you think, to which extent can these measures be effective and what else has to be done?

You can download this complimentary interview in full from our media library here - http://www.airportsrussia.com/Event.aspx?id=845252