Chelyabinsk Region keeps working on the region’s socioeconomic development forecasts for 2008-2011. The issues related to drawing up the forecasts were discussed at the Governor’s meeting with the regional mayors on June 11, 2008. The forecasts are prepared in compliance with the federal and regional requirements and are based on the data provided by the executive authorities, municipal councils, and large enterprises.

The region’s ongoing economic growth is one of the forecast’s most positive determinants. Chelyabinsk Region’s industrial production rose by 10.1% over the first five months of 2008, while agricultural output went up by 7.1% and housing construction increased by 8.8%. In addition, the region received 24.5% more tax and non-tax revenues. The average salary within the region came to 13,665 RUR a month.

The preliminary forecast that experts came up with in May 2008 states that the region’s GDP will probably go up 8% a year. Industrial production output is expected to rise 7% to 8% in 2009 and 8% to 9.6% over the next two years. By 2011, some 267 billion RUR to 311 billion RUR will have been invested in the region’s economy. Salaries are believed to increase by 1.5 times compared to the year 2007. Besides, 2.2 million square meters worth of housing will be built over the next three years.

The region’s socioeconomic development forecast is normally used as the starting point for drawing up the regional budget as well as the budgets of regional municipalities. The region’s budget will cover a three-year period for the first time this year.

First Deputy Governor Yuri Klepov reports four municipalities (Chelyabinsk, Ozersk, Trekhgorniy, and Nyazepetrovsk) still haven’t sent their forecasts to the region’s Ministry of Economic Development. Some towns are also believed to provide lower than their actual development indicators. Governor Petr Sumin says making one’s job easier by decreasing the figures from the start in order to get better figures at the end of the year is unacceptable.

The spokesperson for the Governor reports all the ministries and administrations must come up with the forecasts and purchase plans before August 7, 2008. All the mayors must have their forecasts approved of by the Ministry of Economic Development by August 15, 2008.