Deputy Economy Minister on administrative reforms in Russia

The reforms of the state administration system came too late, Russian Deputy Economy Minister Mikhail Dmitriyev announced at the 8th RBC International Investment Conference. The official claimed, however, the reforms do have a significant effect on Russia's economic growth and investment rating.

He also pointed out that during the 1990s the Russian GDP dropped to the level of underdeveloped countries. According to him, no qualitative improvements in the domestic economy are possible if corruption remains at the same level. Dmitriyev noted that the principles of Russian administrative reforms resembled those implemented in industrialized countries. He is of the opinion that the three-level system of state power should become a model for a new administration system; this will diminish the size of the state machine and enhance its manageability. The Economy Ministry plans to submit its proposals on the implementation of reforms to the government before August 2003.