Ilya Klebanov appointed presidential envoy in Northwest federal district

Vladimir Putin has signed a decree appointing Ilya Klebanov to the post of presidential envoy in the Northwest federal district. Mr. Klebanov has been simultaneously relieved of his prior duties, press service of the Russian President told RIA Novosti on Saturday.

Mr. Klebanov was born in Leningrad on May 7, 1951.

In 1974, he graduated from the Kalinin Polytechnic Institute in Leningrad.

From 1974 to 1977 he worked as an engineer at the Electron company.

From 1977 to 1997 worked at the Leningrad optical engineering plant, where his career extended from design engineer to director general of the plant.

In December of 1997 he was appointed First Vice-Governor of St. Petersburg and Chairman of the Committee on Economy and Industrial Policy.

Since May 30, 1998, he was a Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.

Since October 17, 2001 - Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Minister of Industry, Sciences and Technologies of the Russian Federation Since February 18, 2002 -- Minister of Industry, Science and Technology of the Russian Federation.

Previous presidential envoy in the Northwest federal district Valentina Matvienko has been recently elected Governor of St. Petersburg.