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Vladislav Shapsha updated the President on how the region was overcoming the problems created by the spread of the novel coronavirus. The proactive measures taken have helped to adjust the region’s healthcare system, provide the necessary resources, mobilise medical personnel and prevent a serious worsening of the epidemiological situation. The hospitals that adjusted to take care of coronavirus patients are now getting back to working normally. There are 525 hospital beds in reserve just in case the situation could worsen.

The Acting Governor noted that all of the region’s enterprises were working again as normal. The tax and fiscal burden on businesses had been reduced during the period of restrictions, and over 1 billion rubles have been allocated to support almost 22,000 businesses. Industrial, construction, road-building and agricultural enterprises continued working even at the peak of the epidemic. This allowed the administration to maintain stability on the labour market and to keep up people’s incomes. At the same time, this economic activity did not increase the spread of the infection. The registered unemployment rate is 2.4 percent and is expected to continue to decrease.

As for the region’s economy as a whole, 62 investment projects with over 200 billion rubles in total investment are being actively implemented. Four new large enterprises will open this year, and another four producers will greatly increase their capacities. Investments in fixed assets will reach 95 billion rubles this year. Agricultural production has been growing at a fast rate with a 14.5 percent increase in the first half of the year.

The construction of all major projects funded from the federal budget is in progress. The Sports Palace in Kaluga will have been fully built by the end of 2020, and the building of the Bauman Moscow State Technical University’s campus is going full speed ahead. The construction of the final phase of an automobile road to detour the regional centre continues. The second phase of the State Museum of the History of Cosmonautics will open in April 2021 to coincide with the 60^th anniversary of the first manned spaceflight.

The Acting Governor also reported on housing construction plans, the relocation of residents from structurally unsafe buildings and the expansion of the healthcare system in the region. At the same time, Vladislav Shapsha asked the President to help finance the construction of a hospital and assist in resolving the issue of housing for orphans and children without parental care, since the regional budget does not have adequate funds to cover these expenses. In addition to this, assistance is needed in building a heavy ion radiation therapy centre in Obninsk, which is home to the Ministry of Healthcare’s National Medical Research Centre for Radiology – the country's leading research institution in developing and using radiological methods for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Problems that arose in the automotive industry – an important part of Kaluga Region’s economy – were also discussed.

Mr Shapsha also noted that Kaluga will celebrate its 650^th anniversary in 2021. The city is getting ready for the festivities and is expecting guests from all Russian regions.

Vladimir Putin noted a number of positive trends in the region, namely, the GDP growth as well as an increase in industrial output, agriculture, foreign trade and retail trade.

The President noted some problems, including a drop in the performance of the construction sector as well as the disposal of solid household waste and industrial waste. Vladimir Putin recommended focusing on this matter given that there is a corresponding nationwide programme.

The President said that the region is developing at a fairly fast pace and wished Vladislav Shapsha every success in his work.