‘Our top priority at the moment is the structural changes in the country’s economy. We simply cannot afford to keep the ways we’ve got now, as this would make our illnesses chronic. A lot of so-called ‘monocities’ or towns with an only plant that provides all the jobs there are more or less of a development throwback, a problem we’ve inherited from our past,’ Minister for Industry and Trade Viktor Khristenko said in the course of his visits to Yekaterinburg’s industrial enterprises.

‘Quite often, such towns’ major problems are of social nature rather than those of business restoration and economic efficiency,’ the Minister added.