The session of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI), held in the conference halls of the “Four Seasons” hotel in Moscow, was attended by Igor Shuvalov, Alexander Shokhin, Andrey Belousov, and other leaders in the development of industry, construction, and public administration.

The session covered issues of land and tax administration, as well as the management of economic activities in the regions of Russia. The agenda included problems related to the accounting of property assets, issuing construction permits, designing technological connections and grid integration, facility operation, enterprise registration, and export issues. Particular emphasis was placed on developing infrastructure for the export of Russia’s natural resources abroad. Participants shared their views on governance challenges and expressed hopes for improving administrative mechanisms at the regional level.

The scope of administration covered a rather short list of issues. The tax problems raised by business representatives (such as the decentralization of certain payments that are the exclusive prerogative of local budgets) did not align with the main topics of the session and were ignored by federal speakers. Otherwise, the agency’s report looked convincing: according to official statistics, the system is functioning “as intended.” Russia is strengthening its status as a resource supplier, and senior officials are ready to tackle the tasks associated with this high mission.

The focus is on the construction of resource-exporting enterprises. This explains the name of the event and the scope of the issues raised, including exports. At the same time, the investment model was not disclosed as the declared topic of the session, although resource trading can hardly be called investment in the first place. Presumably, investments in exports will be channeled into the construction of infrastructure facilities — accordingly, the discussion focused on streamlining technological connections, property rights registration, and so on. Rhetorically: “Who is the investor, then?” Yes, the event turned out to be narrowly focused. What are the methods for managing facilities, the formula for settlements with investors, and the ownership rights upon completion of construction and during operation? Why are administrative levers being activated on such a massive scale?

The business representatives attending the session raised their issues, but, alas, they missed the mark. Issues and aspects of business operations at such a global level have never been raised. The potential of the domestic market and its root problems were not the subject of the session. Businesses whose activities are not aimed at the traffic of raw materials should think about solving their problems on their own, using their own strategies and resources.

Everything that is happening determines current policy, the interest of the “state,” and development vectors. For over 30 years, at various levels, there have been calls to move away from the resource-based economy and overcome the backwardness of society’s technologies and institutions. Yet, it is obvious that this is accompanied by increased measures to build an economy based on finite natural resources. I believe the potential of the domestic market—its capacity for reproduction, flexible consumption, processing, and frugality—has so far remained undeservedly undervalued.

P.S.: This article is for informational purposes only. The author does not claim absolute objectivity, and nothing said herein is intended to offend or defame anyone under the guise of a value judgment.

(A brief photo report)