Putin: Russia needs true industrial breakthrough in coming years

Russia needs to make a "true industrial breakthrough" in the coming years and create powerful national companies in the manufacturing industry, RIA Novosti cited Russian President Vladimir Putin as saying Thursday.
"Our task is to make a true industrial breakthrough in the coming years, to create strong national companies in sectors of the processing industry that can produce competitive goods," the president said during the investment forum "Russia Calling!"
The objective of boosting national economy has been a priority for Russia in recent years. Specific targets to be reached in the coming years were outlined in the Concept for the Long-Term Social and Economic Development.
The strategy is an action plan for Russia's shift from an export-dependent and resource-based economy to an innovative one. Such a shift would build up Russian potential in the sphere of high technologies and would make its industries more competitive.
The problem of strengthening national industrial production has become more urgent lately, given the Western sanctions against Russia over its alleged role in the Ukrainian conflict.
Russia does not plan to impose any restrictions on the flow of currency and capital in the country, Putin said.