Vladimir Putin is ready to support the creation of a free economic zone in Kurgan Oblast. However, the regional authorities must create a favorable environment for business. The president made this statement at the meeting with Acting Governor Vadim Shumkov. Shumkov told him about the social and economic issues and presented his regional development plan. The list of issues includes poor demographics, low wages, and high electricity rates.
Acting Governor of Kurgan Oblast Vadim Shumkov arrived at his meeting with the president with a report on the social and economic situation in the region. The most pressing issue is gasification.
Vadim Shumkov, acting governor: "We have 10 border areas without gas supply. The migration outflow from there is about 30%".
Vladimir Putin: “You need to establish gas supply. Gazprom can't pump gas all the way to the final consumer".
- We also have a regional program and a program on sustainable development of agriculture.
The Kurtamysh district has been waiting for gas for a long time. In order to heat their house, a family of four requires seven cords of firewood.
Sergey Mikhalishchev, local resident: "Naturally, we'd love to have gas. It would make our life a lot simpler".
It's expensive and difficult, but the residents were promised to receive gas.
Vladimir Putin: "Gazprom will build the main pipeline, but you're in charge of its extensions".
Vadim Shumkov, acting governor: "We're negotiating the terms right now".
- That's good.
Among the major issues addressed by the local government are wages and the implementation of national projects.
Vladimir Putin: "How are you going to implement the national project on education?"
Vadim Shumkov, acting governor: "We're expanding two schools and building a new one".
- How many children go to school in the afternoon? I believe more than 30%.
- That's only in the cities. The situation's the opposite in towns, there are mostly small schools there.
- I see.
- 95% of the social facilities were built by the government in the 1970s.
-I know, they're 40-45 years old now.
-It's a major issue.
In Ketovo, Kurgan Oblast, a modern school was built in just two years. It'll be finished this fall. The new school will welcome 1,100 students.
Evgeny Obraztsov, local resident: "We're very happy that our kids have an opportunity to study in a modern school with the most advanced facilities".
Putin and Shumkov also discussed the new laws on the free land parcels adopted by Kurgan Oblast. This program will apply to multiple-child families.
Vadim Shumkov, acting governor: "A 6 by 8 house with a 3 by 4 bath-house for 105,000 rubles. The cost is less than 2,000 rubles for a square meter. A small assessment has shown, that having private housing greatly increases the birth rate, compared to living in mortgage-apartments. It's better to have your own house".
The Ivanovs, a young family from Vedenskoye, decided to exercise their right to get a land parcel. Right now, Evgeny and Ksenia are gathering all the required papers. They hope that soon, their plans will come true.
Ksenia Ivanova, local resident: "We've always wanted our own house. We're happy to have such an opportunity. We're moving towards our goal".
Vadim Shumkov asked the president to support the creation of a special economic zone in the region. In his turn, Putin asked the acting governor to create a perfectly favorable environment for businesses.
Dmitry Kaistro, Yulia Brilyova, and Daria Inozemtseva, Vesti.
