Cabinet plans more allocations to producers of agricultural machinery

MOSCOW, March 25 (Itar-Tass) - The Russian government is planning additional measures to support the development of production of agricultural machinery in Russia. A resolution to this effect was adopted as a result of a conference held by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in Rostov-on-Don on March 11. Heads of the Russian Finance Ministry, Trade Ministry and the Ministry of Agriculture were instructed to suggest measures by the beginning of a new budgetary cycle on sources of additional financing up to five billion roubles annually of enterprises producing agricultural machinery. The proposals are to be submitted to the Cabinet by May 22. The Cabinet expects the ministers to submit proposals on the development of a uniform system of state support to producers of agricultural machinery by May 27. The government is also planning additional budgetary support to the research and experimental sector of agricultural machinery and to technological re-equipment of these enterprises. Other measures of state support planned by the government include subsidies to regions in Siberia and the Far East for the transportation of agricultural machinery produced in the European part of Russia. The government will also help with exports of agricultural machinery on a leasing basis in volumes and on terms comparable with the exports of foreign analogues. The Trade Ministry and the Ministry of Agriculture were instructed to submit proposals by April 17 on the development of a system of state machinery test stations in the Russian Federation, improvement of their technical level and broadening their practical use. The Trade Ministry was instructed to ensure annual participation of Russian producers of agricultural equipment in big international exhibitions.