“The Thief Nightingale”
Russian President Vladimir Putin via video link I joined At the event dedicated to the 30th anniversary of PJSC Gazprom. The head of the Russian conglomerate in St. Petersburg, Alexei Miller, appeared before the camera in a fur hat shifted to one side. The Russian leader drew attention to him.
“Since I saw you wearing a hat like the thief Nightingale, this once again confirms some of your character’s traits,” Putin suggested to the senior executive that they “get on the mat” together and “see how it is”. works with children”.
He also asked if Miller was cold, and suggested that it is currently cold in the northern capital, as the head of Gazprom and his colleagues are dressed warmly.
It was “minus 5 degrees” outside, but it was windy, blowing from the Gulf of Finland, Miller said.
In his congratulatory message, Putin emphasized that Gazprom is recognized worldwide and remains one of the largest in Russia, and also the world leader in natural gas reserves, production and supply.
“I am happy to congratulate all of you, all Gazprom employees and almost half a million people on this important date,” the President said.
development vector
Putin recalled that Gazprom was founded “at a difficult time for the country” and that “the decision to preserve its single, integrated complex was strategically correct”. According to the president, Gazprom “attracted” and supported regions and their social spheres, among many other industries, and “became one of the engines of economic recovery and growth.”
According to Putin, Gazprom now demonstrates high responsibility, efficiency and sustainability, despite the company facing “indeed, unfair competition” and resisting attempts to limit its development. »Gazprom is advancing by signing new projects. This includes geological exploration, production and in-depth processing of raw materials, participation in the construction of the Northern Transverse Railroad and other transport infrastructure.”
Also, Putin noted the social orientation of Gazprom: the company builds residences and schools, helps equip hospitals and improve streets in cities. Over the past 15 years, more than 2,000 sports complexes, playgrounds and school stadiums have been built in the country only within the framework of the Gazprom for Children project.
The politician said that global gas consumption has nearly doubled in the past 30 years, and experts believe it will increase by at least another 20% over the next 20 years. The president is confident that during the “transition period” gas demand will be “huge”, especially in countries in the Asia-Pacific region, and above all in China. Therefore, the further development of the huge gas industrial complex created in the east acquires “truly strategic importance for Russia.”
“It includes the Yakutsk and Irkutsk gas production centers, the Amur gas processing plant under construction, the Power of Siberia gas pipeline, which gained new capacities with the commissioning of the Kovykta gas condensate field last December,” the chairman said.
Putin also noted that “Gazprom now faces large-scale, complex tasks in the field of international cooperation, export contracts.” According to him, difficulties are associated with “restructuring logistics routes, securing new markets.”
At the same time, the politician said that “despite the importance of international trade issues” for Russia “the main thing” is “its own development” and improving the quality of life of people in all regions of the country.
One of the most important and most important programs of Gazprom, the president called the program of social gasification, and within the framework of this program, gas networks were brought to the borders of Russian land plots for free. It has been extended several times before and was made completely indefinite last year. “Moreover, it is now spreading not only to housing, but also to socially important facilities, educational and health institutions,” the head of state said.
The President also described the gas reserves at Gazprom’s fields as “astronomical”, incomparable with the reserves of other countries.
Exemption from increased income tax
Putin on Friday signed A law exempting Gazprom and its subsidiaries from higher income taxes for liquefied natural gas exporters. The new rule will apply to legal relationships arising from January 1, 2023.
In addition, the document extends the deadline for the completion of the modernization of oil refining capacities, which is required to levy reverse excise duty on petroleum raw materials. According to RIA Novosti, this is due to sanctions on the export of technologies currently imposed on Russia. Now, if foreign suppliers refuse to provide equipment, new ones have to be ordered.
In November 2022, a law was passed to increase the income tax rate from 20% to 34% for 2023-2025 for LNG exporters who exported at least one batch of LNG by the end of last year.
Until 2025, income tax at the new rate will be paid only by users of federal subterranean lands whose license is intended for the construction of an LNG plant as of January 1, 2013.