Russia's President Vladimir Putin speaks to the State Council in Moscow's Kremlin February 8, 2008.
Photo: Reuters
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Putin Ordered to Widen Mid.-Class Share to 60 Percent
The middle class in Russia is to account for 60 percent of the nation by 2020, President Vladimir Putin vowed at extended meeting of the State Council in the Kremlin. The key target is creating society of equal opportunities, society of no poverty.
The average lifetime is to reach 75 years by 2020, Putin said. As to the average wealth of the nation, the gap between income of the poor and the rich should narrow materially. Nowadays, this income differs 15 fold, the president added, cautioning against the wage-leveling and specifying the need to come up with incentives for professional and creative fulfillment.
Science and education will be the key to innovation future of Russia’s economy, Putin emphasized. Russia has been advancing mechanically and has to borrow certain technology. The danger that the status of raw materials appendage will be finally attached to the country still exists, the president cautioned.
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