Valentina Matvienko: I hope that such a hasty publication of the Ministry of Industry and Trade was a misunderstanding

19.04.2022       

Chairman of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko spoke about the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia. It is known that the Ministry of Industry and Trade reacted to the words of Valentina Ivanovna about nails. Here is what answered Matvienko: “Although this discussion is not entirely about nails. A nail, one might say, is a symbol of the simplest item to manufacture, for the manufacture of which we have more than enough everything. But here, as it turns out, there are questions. And a lot. And they demand an answer. In my statement, I could easily replace the word «nails» to some other. But simple examples are usually more illustrative, distinct, understandable. Therefore, I am sure that the topic received such a response. So it's not about nails.

But I'm very glad that this discussion has started at all and that real experts, professionals, business have joined it. I can already see its effectiveness and usefulness. We got the real picture! She is what she is. I think it's quite objective. Not distorted, not covered by beautiful reports and presentations. And now we have much more chances to quickly revise everything that we have both in general in our industry, and, in particular, with nails – where now without them!

It is clear that no country in the modern world is able to provide itself in all areas by 100% with products only of its own production. But it is also clear that there are areas, sectors, goods where we not only can, but must completely cover all our needs and produce for export. But for some reason this does not happen.

There was no hint of the question "Who is to blame?" in my words. Only – "What to do?!" To my deep regret, instead of analyzing the situation, figuring out how it happened that we import tons of products that are a little more complicated than a piece of wire from other countries, the Ministry of Industry and Trade happily declares that enough nails are produced in the country and is preparing a bravura press -release. It turns out that everything is fine. Maybe someone is fine. But our citizens are able to go to the nearest hardware store and look in the fastener department for the country of origin of the goods.

This is the wrong approach. I hope that such a hasty publication of the Ministry of Industry and Trade was a misunderstanding. Someone decided to take the initiative and rushed.