Draft Concept of socio-economic development of South Ossetia for 2013 - 2030 years has been discussed today at the round table in the capital of the Republic. The round table, chaired by the Prime Minister of South Ossetia Rostislav Khugaev, was attended by heads of ministries and departments, parliamentarians, experts, representatives of scientific circles and the public of South Ossetia, as well as the head of the project designing - a representative of the Russian Center for Strategic Researches "Region" Denis Denisov and a representative of the Russian Institute of Urban Development and Investment Development Victor Kozyrev.
At the beginning of the discussion Minister for Economic Development of South Ossetia Zalina Khugati introduced the central theses of the socio-economic development of South Ossetia for 2013 - 2030, noting that the project was being developed by the Center for Strategic Researches "Region" within the frames of the formation of a new system of strategic management of the Republic.
"The concept of socio-economic development –is a strategically important document. This is not a complete list of proposals for the development of South Ossetia, but open for discussion and corrections. It is planned that by results of the open discussions the finalized concept will be submitted to the government of South Ossetia and approved by the relevant resolution ", - she said.
According to the minister, substantial basis for the concept is the main goal and vision of economic development of South Ossetia, the strategic priorities that can give the maximum effect.
Zalina Khugati has also listed the main problems of the Republic, recalling that the Georgian aggression in 2008 destroyed the entire infrastructure, a number of industrial enterprises, housing stock, which led the economy into a deep crisis.
"Agriculture is ineffective and has serious difficulties, the activities of the small and medium-sized enterprises are limited to trade and public catering services. The system of vocational and secondary education is almost completely ruined, for the past 20 years there has been a process of depopulation, the mortality rate exceeds the birth rate, low level of public health does not promote to improve the situation, "- stressed Khugati.
All these reasons, according to the minister, caused a low level of living of the population, most of whom have incomes below the subsistence minimum.
"The current socio-economic situation calls for urgent solution of many complex problems, and these solutions must be linked into a comprehensive program," - she said.
According to her, the main objectives of the concept for socio-economic development are- to increase the standard of living in all districts of South Ossetia on the basis of socio-political stability, sustainable economic and social development, the economic and environmental security, reduction of systemic risk, the development of international cooperation.
"All of these problems we have to solve in the medium term. We must create the conditions for the transition to sustainable development of the economy and the social sphere, the preconditions for the influx of people into the country, modern, efficient system of education and science, developing small and medium-sized entrepreneurship, industrial and social infrastructure, etc."- said Khugati.
She has underlined, that of particular importance is the development of tourism, including the sphere of travel services.
"This implies a maximum capitalization of historical and natural potential of the region's economic growth, as well as a significant increase of the quality of life in the tourist areas of the Republic through the development of infrastructure," - said the Minister.
The roundtable participants made suggestions and corrections to the Draft Concept. Director of the South Ossetian Research Institute Robert Gagloev has noted that the Republic has more than one hundred mineral springs and healing waters, and has stressed that the concept should provide for to develop them.
According to the lecturer of the South Ossetian State University Zhanna Kochieva, South Ossetia must have its own Center for Strategic Studies and Analysis. Also, in her view, it is necessary to pay great attention to the development of agro-tourism.
In turn, the developer of the draft concept, a representative of the Russian Center for Strategic Researches "Region" Denis Denisov has told about the work done, noting that the document will clearly state the stages of economic development of South Ossetia in five, ten or fifteen years.
He has told in detail about all the points of the Concept, emphasizing that in the near future they will finalize it and agree with the South Ossetian experts.
