Meeting with Head of the Republic of Mordovia Artem Zdunov

Vladimir Putin started the meeting by noting that the industrial output in the republic had grown by eight percent last year as compared to the national average of 3.5 percent. The agricultural output is even larger compared to national average.

The Head of Mordovia began his report by discussing the support for the special military operation, the servicemen and their families which is a priority, noting that the manufacturing industry, the agriculture, all sectors and the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation were involved in fulfilling this priority goal, adding that medical, emergency and construction teams from Mordovia operated in the Kherson Region on a permanent basis.

Next, Mr Zdunov Zdunov ArtemHead of the Republic of Mordoviainformed the President about bringing the financial discipline in the republic up to standard. Three years ago, the sovereign debt was more than double the republic's own revenue, whereas now the revenue exceeds the sovereign debt. For the first time in many years, the Finance Ministry has recognised the republic's financial management as compliant with the code. Salaries in the manufacturing industry are up, and last year the republic even registered an inflow of migrant workforce. People are coming in lured by new investment projects. According to the Head of the republic, this year's industrial production index already stands at 112.5 percent.

Artem Zdunov noted that the Russian Government made two major decisions in 2023. First, to expand the Ruzayevka priority social and economic development area, the largest railway hub in the Volga Region. Second, to create Sistema special economic zone with areas such as radio electronics, lighting engineering, and optical fiber. Mordovia is the only fiber producer in the EAEU.

Ensuring technological sovereignty is the main objective in the optical fiber industry, because market players are scarce. That includes broadband internet and continuous communication which means a second plant must be built, which, according to the Head of Mordovia, requires the support of the President and the Government. This issue is being addressed with the involvement of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Finance Ministry. The Russian Academy of Sciences has been engaged as well, because this project relies on scientific competencies.

To be continued.