Designing of a program for socio-economic development of South Ossetia to 2017 and economic development strategy to 2030 has been discussed at the round table, held today in Tskhinval under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister of the Republic Rostislav Khugaev.
The discussion was attended by members of government, heads of the city and districts administrations, heads of state enterprises. Minister of Economic Development of South Ossetia Zalina Khugati made a report on the plans and measures that could bring the economy out of the crisis. She has recalled that the Russian Center for Strategic Research "Region" has been developing a program of socio-economic development of South Ossetia to 2017.
"Between our Ministry and the Centre was signed a contract in August 2012. The Center representatives several times a month come to the Republic to collect the necessary information. The program is not being developed from scratch; it is based on all the activities to be carried out in the districts, villages and towns of the country, "- said Khugati.
According to her, by the end of March 2013, "Region" will finish the generation of economic development strategy to 2030, and the socio-economic development program to 2017.
Minister briefly outlined the main stages of the development strategy of South Ossetia, saying that following the results of today's round table, all amendments, additions and suggestions of representatives of ministries and departments would be included in the development program of the RSO.
She has noted that it is primarily planned to work out the concept of strategy and development program of the Republic, including a comprehensive review of socio-economic development.
"This stage is fully completed by experts of the Centre. In addition, will also be developed a medium-term program of socio-economic development", - added the Minister.
Khugati also identified the priorities and the scheme for further development of South Ossetia.
"One of the major problems that require urgent action - the demographic component of our society - she specified. - A set of our proposed activities in the social sector will in the medium term stabilize the situation in the education, health, social sphere of the citizens. All these activities will lead to rising birthrate and decrease the outflow of the working population of the country. "
According to the Minister, one of these measures is wage raise.
She has also stressed that, along with the solution of social problems, it is necessary to take urgent measures to pull the economy out of crisis.
According to her, referring to the landscape and climatic conditions, the agricultural sector cannot be the basis for effective economic growth of the Republic in the medium term.
"As you know, agriculture is a subsidized sector, which requires heavy investment, hard work and a long period of time, while our task is - in the medium term to provide the population with its own products", - underlined Khugati.
Point of economic growth of South Ossetia the minister considers the development of the industry.
"This is one of the areas, on which the government will concentrate special attention. Orientation to the implementation of new innovative high-tech technology in the industrial development of the Republic is about the only true solution to pull the economy out of the crisis ", - emphasized the minister.
She stressed that maintenance and gradual retooling of the existing industrial facilities in the Republic, the resumption of work of the enterprises, based on the processing of local raw materials and, in relation to them, the creation of many small satellite production - such parallel implementation of the activities could yield significant results.
Furthermore Khugati identified that due to the geographical location, one of the main problems – is the transport issue.
"The construction of the railway would be a very serious impetus to the development of industrial production in our Republic," - she said.
Another important component of economic growth may be the development of tourism.
"The geographical location of our Republic, its unique natural and climatic conditions provide ample opportunities for the development of all types of tourism. Our main task is- restoration of the old camp sites, rest homes and the construction of new health care, mineral mud hospitals, sanatoriums, alpinist and other sports camps. However, the development of tourism will require capital-intensive, "- she said.
Economy Minister has underlined that the development of small and medium entrepreneurship is an important strategic factor to set a strong economy.
"If within two years the program of development of small and medium entrepreneurship is implemented, we will be able to create about two thousand jobs," - she said.
Khugati also spoke about the other top-priority sectors, the solution of which would contribute to raising the economy to a much higher level.
Heads of ministries and agencies of the Republic expressed their amendments and suggestions on designing the socio-economic development of South Ossetia. Prime Minister Rostik Khugaev assured that all of the suggestions and amendments of the round table would be considered and included into the program.
