OREANDA-NEWS. November 23, 2012. By 2017 the total regional product of Karelia should grow by 30%, incomes of the population should go up by 40%, and capital investments should grow threefold. Such goals are defined in the Concept of Social and Economic Development of Karelia for the next five years approved on November, 15 by deputies of the Legislative Assembly of the republic.

Let us remind that according to the Constitution of Karelia, Head of the republic submits the Concept of Social and Economic Development for the term of office to the Legislative Assembly for approval within six months since accession to office.

The working group which included representatives of the republic's and federal executive bodies, local self-government, scientific and public organizations developed the Concept based on the Guidelines of Social and Economic Policy of the Government of Karelia through to 2017.

Besides, the Draft Concept was consulted widely through public appeal of the Head of Karelia to citizens of the republic who stated their opinions, made offers and wishes concerning further development of Karelia.

The document was discussed on various public platforms and was supported by experts and public figures.

More than 200 experts including deputies of the Legislative Assembly have taken part in development of the Concept.

On November, 15 the Concept approved earlier at the session of the regional Government was presented to the members of Karelian parliament. The Concept was presented to the parliamernt by Head of Karelia Alexander Khudilainen and Deputy Head of the Republic of Karelia and Minister of Economic Development Valentin Chmil.

Primary importance in the Concept is assigned to solution of social problems, increase of the living standard, and cessation of the population outflow from the republic.

In his opening address Alexander Khudilainen has stated the near-term priorities of social and economic policies of the Government. First of all, Head of Karelia has pointed out that the prepared Concept is a socially focused document. Thus, the first priority of the Government is solution of social problems: increase of availability and quality of public health services, education, growth of family incomes, creation of opportunities for development of physical culture and sports, home construction for young professionals, etc.

There's no doubt that performance of the shaped plans is directly related to financial opportunities. Therefore, special attention will be paid to increase in revenue part of the budget.

– This task may be solved only due to development of economy, mobilization of investments, which the Government has stated as the second priority direction. We plan to use the republic's economic potential as much as possible, i.e. natural resources, favourable transit location, highly skilled human resources, etc., – Alexander Khudilainen said.

The third priority, according to Head of the republic, is increase of efficiency and transparency of work of bodies of the government, including strengthening of collaboration with municipalities.

– We are ready to apprehend constructive criticism from all interested parties concerned with the fate of the republic, to make corresponding conclusions and to build our future by a joint effort, – Head of Karelia has declared, having mentioned that public discussion of the Concept of Social and Economic Development was the first step on the way of closer cooperation with civic institutions.

Alexander Khudilainen has also explained that the Concept is not a dogma, but a subject to corrective amendments. Head of the republic has especially thanked everyone who responded to the appeal to converse about the future of Karelia, having taken part in development of the Concept, and has emphasized:

– If we realize that we are a united team, the situation in Karelia may be changed for the better, we've got a great potential!

In turn, Deputy Head of the Republic of Karelia and Minister of Economic Development Valentin Chmil in his statement spoke of specific points, which the Government of Karelia intends to achieve by 2017.

In particular, it is 30% increase in gross regional product of Karelia, 40% growth of incomes of the population, creation of no less than 18,000 new jobs, essential – threefold – growth of the volume of capital investments, almost 2.5-fold increase of home construction and commissioning – by 2017 this parameter should exceed 400,000 sq.m., as well as increase in life expectancy up to 70 years.

Valentin Chmil has emphasized, that the Concept as a whole is devoted to development of territories, improvement of life in towns and regions of Karelia.

The Minister has reminded that one of the measures of territorial support is the idea suggested by Head of Karelia to carry out Days of the Republic by turns in regions of Karelia. The host settlement will be assigned funds for accomplishment from the regional budget.

One of the authors of the Concept, President of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (employers) of the republic, Yuri Ponomarev has addressed the deputies at the session of the Legislative Assembly of Karelia. He said that the Concept corresponds to all qualifying standards of such documents and emphasized that the current structure of the regional Government has approached development of the Concept thoroughly and with all responsibility.

Having discussed pressing issues of development of the republic within the next five years, deputies of the Legislative Assembly have adopted the Concept of Social and Economic Development.

At the session on November, 15 deputies of the Legislative Assembly have also approved the project of the budget of Karelia for 2013 in first reading.