"In the big picture, we see our task as doing everything necessary to turn St. Petersburg into a city with a European standard of living. That means a European quality of life for citizens, developing business, creating fertile conditions to attract investment, European standards for civic rights and freedoms, freedom of the press, and more," Matviyenko said.

"Developing and fostering the city's industrial potential," is the key to developing St. Petersburg, the governor said. High technologies would play a key role.

St. Petersburg can compete in the areas of education, the sciences, tourism and culture, the governor said.

The administration plans to double the city's budget revenues within three years, Matviyenko said. Transportation and housing will receive particular attention from the administration. The governor announced that St. Petersburg is engaged in several joint projects with the city of Moscow. Moscow investment in a project to replace an entire block of condemned five-story apartment buildings with new housing will start in April of next year.

Referring to her cooperation with colleague Yury Luzhkov, Matviyenko said "I think we need to use his experience in St. Petersburg while keeping in mind the special features of our city."

News source: www.sptimes.ru
Print this news