ello (@piers)

#Putin: "Mr Katyrin, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry system brings together **130 regional chambers across Russia, correct?**" Katyrin: "Yes, that is correct." VVP: "**That represents around 57,000 organisations?**" SK: "Absolutely." VVP: "**That is a very large organisation**." SK: "Mr President, you previously expressed the wish at our congress that we continue developing the chamber system and ensure that we are as close as possible to entrepreneurs. Taking this guidance into account, as well as the provisions of the law on chambers of commerce and industry – which also assigns us the function of providing services – we have worked to implement these objectives. "We have established branches in a number of municipalities across Russia’s regions, and today we operate in 350 locations throughout the country. "The system currently includes federal and regional unions and associations: around 270 at the federal level and approximately 800 at the regional level. This is a substantial expert community that enables us to involve businesses as experts in regulatory impact assessments when drafting regulations, bills, etc. "Today, the entire system is working to support the special military operation. All our colleagues are involved in providing assistance to people from their regions who are participating on the ground. They help organise convoys sent from Russia’s regions and work directly with local communities to address requests for specific equipment, uniforms and other supplies. "Another important area is support for children. The Yevgeny Primakov Foundation for Assistance to Children was established by Yevgeny Primakov himself. We gave it his name after his passing. The foundation focuses entirely on helping children, children’s institutions and orphanages. The main figures are shown on the slide. **Over the past year – and perhaps for a longer period – our efforts have been focused primarily on providing assistance to the Kursk, Belgorod and Bryansk regions**. "Of course, it is not only the foundation that provides this support. Funds were collected from companies, individual entrepreneurs, and even employees of chambers of commerce and industry – colleagues who contributed personally so that we could organise this assistance. The support covered a wide range of needs, from furniture and equipment for children’s homes to assistance for individual children requiring complex surgeries and other medical care. We will continue this work. "Regarding our legislative work, as I mentioned earlier, we bring together not only businesses but also industry unions and professional associations. This enables us to provide expert opinions based on the practical experience of companies operating across virtually every sector of the economy. We review around 1,200 draft laws and regulations per year, assessing whether they create a favourable business environment, support business activity, or contain provisions that could have adverse effects. "We also support the development of approximately 100 bills annually as they move through the State Duma, participating at every stage, from the initial concept to final adoption. Each year, we submit around 30 packages of amendments and independently develop 15 to 20 bills, which we then work on with members of parliament to secure their passage. Naturally, our primary objective is to advance the interests of the business community. "There is also another matter: the instruction you gave us, and I would like to report on its implementation. You may recall that, at the meeting of the State Council, we discussed international arbitration and the way courts in London and Stockholm have been handling cases involving Russian businesses – or rather, the way they have been ruling against them." VVP: "**They issue unlawful decisions**." SK: "Yes, they are politically motivated. Today, we have 27 regional branches operating across the Russian Federation. Our International Commercial Arbitration Court was established in 1932, while the Maritime Arbitration Commission dates back even further, having been founded in 1930. We continue to develop both institutions. We have already opened branches in St Petersburg, Vladivostok, and Novorossiysk. "As the Northern Sea Route continues to develop, we expect that, when the need arises, we will also establish a branch in Murmansk specifically to serve disputes related to shipping along the Northern Sea Route. "The Maritime Arbitration Commission handles a relatively modest caseload. It has about 40 arbitrators, including representatives from seven foreign countries, I believe. "The International Commercial Arbitration Court has more than 200 arbitrators, of whom roughly 60 are foreign nationals. We maintain active cooperation with countries such as China and India [...]." Kremlin (9.7.26); p (3) http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/80261