PRESS RELEASE*

The Government of the Russian Federation at its meeting on April 17, 2008 made the following decisions on the items on its agenda.

1. On the activities of the executive power bodies to ensure the payment of remuneration to public sector employees increased as of February 1, 2008.

The Government of the Russian Federation has instructed the heads of the executive power bodies concerned to ensure the payment of remuneration to public sector workers and the civilian personnel of military units increased as of February 1, 2008 as well as all the necessary interaction with the local self-government bodes.

Report back to the Finance Ministry and the Ministry of Health and Social Development before April 25, 2008.

The Finance Ministry, the Ministry of Health and Social Development and the Ministry of Regions of the Russian Federation shall monitor the payment of increased remuneration to public sector employees and the civilian personnel of military units.

The results shall be reported back to the Government of the Russian Federation before April 30, 2008.

2. On the plan of measures to achieve the quantitative and qualitative targets set for 2008 for the Ministry of Regional Development of the Russian Federation.

The Government of the Russian Federation has taken note of the report on the said issue by the Minister of Regional Development D.N.Kozak.

The meeting approved the plan of activities to achieve the quantitative and qualitative targets set for 2008 for the Ministry of Regional Development of the Russian Federation.

On the basis of the discussion held, the Russian Ministry of Regions has been instructed, if necessary, to introduce amendments to the report on the results and main areas of activity of the Ministry of Regional Development of the Russian Federation for 2008-2010 and submit it to the Government Commission for Assessment of the Performance of Federal and Regional Executive Power Bodies.

3. On the draft federal law On Patent Agents

The meeting approved the draft federal law On Patent Agents and decided to introduce it at the State Duma in due procedure.

4. On the draft federal law On the Ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Singapore on Avoiding Double Taxation and Prevention of Income Tax Evasion.

The meeting approved the draft federal law On the Ratification of the Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Singapore on Avoiding Double Taxation and Prevention of Income Tax Evasion and submit it to the State Duma in due procedure.

5. On introducing an amendment to the Regulations on the Federal Insurance Supervision Service.

The meeting adopted a draft Government Decree on the issue.

6. On introducing amendments to Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No 733 of November 1, 2007.

The meeting adopted a draft decree of the Government of the Russian Federation on the issue.

The State Fisheries Committee of Russia shall before April 21, 2008 report to the Government of the Russian Federation on the duration of calls (absence) of fishing vessels at the sea ports of the Russian Federation, on government control of import (export) of the catches of marine bio-resources and products of the processing thereof and the registration of fishing vessels at each sea port.

7. On introducing amendments to some enactments of the Government of the Russian Federation in connection with the formation of the Federal Agency for the Development of the State Border of the Russian Federation (Rosgranitsa).

The meeting adopted a draft decree of the Government of the Russian Federation on the issue referred to above.

The Ministry of Economic Development of Russia jointly with Rosgranitsa shall in accordance with the earlier instructions transfer into operational management the building to accommodate Rosgranitsa and report back to the Government of the Russian Federation before April 21, 2008.

The Ministry of Economic Development of Russia, the Finance Ministry of Russia jointly with Rosgranitsa shall allocate the necessary budgetary assets for the refurbishment of the said building and report back to the Government of the Russian Federation.

8. On introducing amendments to some enactments of the Government of the Russian Federation .

The meeting adopted a draft decree of the Government of the Russian Federation on the issue referred to above.

April 18, 2008
Moscow

*Decisions on issues on the agenda are made with due account of the remarks and proposals made at the Government meeting and are issued as official documents of the Government of the Russian Federation.