Shamil Ageyev: ‘We face unprofessionals in all spheres and mainly in the federal authority’

Oil workers will feel the crisis soon

The first question was expectedly about the crisis: what sectors of the economy did feel it, and how are they tackling it? Ageyev noted that mostly the real sector suffered, mechanical engineering and trade, first of all. 'Oil workers will feel it soon: oil price dropped. And, undoubtedly, SMBs because consumption opportunity, the range of services and goods reduced,' the head of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

What is more, it turned out that the majority of the goods come from abroad, and their price rose because of the devaluation of the ruble. However, Ageyev supposes it is early to complain.

'It is obvious that difficult conditions of the management of the economy will drag on. The term is unknown. Our zealous functionaries also made their contributions. For instance, the Ministry of Finance foretells that it will increase the payment from the real sector, the employer by 2018.

And I answer: who needs enemies with friends like them? Functionaries decide their momentary problems by means of the real sector instead of thinking about how to reduce the tax burden and create conditions. I think the authorities and the government should cope with it to avoid disturbing the population needlessly <…>. Enterprises are not be cornered but given an opportunity to breathe.'

Non-existent import substitution

According to Shamil Ageyev, at present import substitution in Russia is on paper only. It is possible to do something only in agriculture. 'It is impossible to substitute catalysts in one go. It is impossible to substitute components. For instance, the raw material for pipes, which go to KAMAZ, are made only in France. So, how will you substitute them? When will it happen?'

Money, in itself, is nothing. Where will you find a specialist? Yes, you can purchase a player like in hockey. He will play. But a team is needed. Time is needed to create and educate it.

Ageyev noted that now Russia is reaping the harvest of 'that crazy privatization' of the 90s. If earlier the chemical industry produced about 100,000 articles, now they number 7-8,000. 'We hooked on import, which is easier: seeds of potato, wheat, etc. It was easier to buy, people had money, oil price was high. We calmed down at that period. Now we start to understand that we should count only on ourselves.'

And the problem cannot be solved with money only – people and competences are needed. Even the reanimation programme of Tu-160 is not simple: specialists must be grown up from students. Necessary programmes and the level of teachers are needed for this intention.

And then we knew that the price for halls of residents has increased suddenly. It turns out that something is done and then everything is crossed out in pursuit of profit <…>. Money, in itself, is nothing. Where will you find a specialist? Yes, you can purchase a player like in hockey. He will play. But a team is needed. Time is needed to create and educate it,' Ageyev told.

Platon is untimely like attempts to catch some rays in winter

Ageyev also criticized the system of the imposition of fares on the route. On 16 March, the Ministry of Transport of Russia Maksim Sokolov stated that Platon would be less profitable for the budget than it was expected by the authority.

'What were you thinking about while making the decision? What specialists made the decision? So, 10bn are to be spent on some body affiliated with somebody in order to earn 20bn. Now it has been made public, all these moments are known. How come?' Ageyev was indignant.

About Platon: 'What specialists made the decision? So, 10bn are to be spent on some body affiliated with somebody in order to earn 20bn. Now it has been made public, all these moments are known. How come?'

A responsibility centre is necessary except informed, professional decisions with the intention of informing people about who prepared the decision, who approved it to make this person responsible for his or her actions,' the head of the Chamber expressed his opinion.

'As for the very Platon system, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry stated about its inappropriateness. The price for 1 km was lower, about 93 kopeks (now it costs 1,53 rubles for 1 km).

We did not collect our ideas on our own, we gathered all specialists: from the Association of Transport Carriers, from everybody. All in all our ideas were laid in the foundation <…>. If it is a correct decision [Editor's Note: to impose the fare], it should be made in time. One can go to catch some rays. In Orenburg, it is snowing now, one can go to sunbathe. But one can do it when it is sunny. And here it was a bit untimely.

The speech on Platon is the following: it (the decision) doesn't live up to the expectations. A more optimal variant is to be considered. If it is impossible to refuse it, different variants are to be considered. And here a compensation is present. Another thing is when one has to spend a ruble to earn one ruble. It is to stir a porridge, so to speak,' Ageyev noted.

The head of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry supposes that the problem should be solved globally: removing the lorries from routes. In this case, cargo transportation should be transferred to railway. But here high tariffs of Russian Railways stop everything.

Moscow lacks a dialogue with 'Earth'

Realnoe Vremya asked Shamil Ageyev to estimate the anti-crisis plan of the government of Russia. In the guest's opinion, the plan for 2016 contains only points. Decisions of the authority are not connected with the real production.

'We face unprofessionals in all spheres and mainly in the federal authority because the regional ones willy-nilly live here, there is a constant dialogue. But knocking on the federal authority's door is… Unprofessionals are the main problem. They are probably young and useful but offer things that cannot be used in real life. It is difficult to understand the logic of the instruction,' Shamil Ageyev told.

Our task is to find initiative, intelligent people who would bravely go into combat for profit

'We should understand that the generation of electricity is not a commodity yet. You cannot eat or wear it. Even flour is a good when bread is baked. Gas? You cannot drink it, and it won't save you from cold. Such a concept does not exist – those who produce the end product should be supported. If this producer doesn't exist, we won't get rid of not only this crisis but also the situation,' the chairman of the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry made an unnerving forecast.

The entrepreneurs who are not afraid to work in a crisis might become an outlet. These people are now at Kama Forum: they want to promote their products.

'Yes, there are difficulties, but the participants of the forum is in a combative mood. Those 'sweets' for the real sector of the economy – measures on support of the export – are found there. Our task is to gather all measures of support of the real sector of the economy at municipal, regional and federal levels and see who should be supported. Those who are capable should be supported.'

In Ageyev's opinion, now all people who have entrepreneurial possibilities should be demonstrated: use your resources, it won't last for ever. 'Our task is to find initiative, intelligent people who would bravely go into combat for profit'.