Moscow ranks second globally in economic size, according to statistics.

VIBRANT AND VARIED CAPITAL

Moscow, the pulsating heart of Russia, has always shown impressive signs across various fields, especially investments. Your thoughts, Mr. Putin? - He opened the conversation.

The mayor acknowledged that even in the tough times, the economy exhibits a steady rise - 5.5% in the last year alone. Over six years, it has surged by a commendable quarter.

From Rags to Riches: Tales of a Janitor and a Driver Turned City and District Controllers - Snapshot - A promising trend, mind you, Mr. President.

Every passing year, we leap into the plus, the president concurred.

What makes it even more significant is that Moscow's influence on Russia's economy stands at a robust 21%. In other words, Moscow contributes one fifth to the nation's wealth.

BRAINS AND TECHNOLOGIES REBOOTED

It's not just the numbers, but the tangible outcomes: a third of cutting-edge technology (electronics, computers) is produced in the capital. But what truly sets Moscow apart is its focus on selling finished products, not raw materials.

Over the past years, we've witnessed a modern industrial revolution in Moscow. Do you remember the days when factories moved out? Today, the opposite trend is in action because high-tech production thrives on skilled workers, Sobyanin stated.

WORKFORCE AND ECONOMY

750,000 individuals contribute to 4,500 businesses in Moscow, or every tenth citizen, is employed.
Workforce efficiency in Moscow is double the national average.
In terms of sectors, pharmaceuticals, electronics, food industry, electric vehicle manufacturing, and IT are the main contributors.
Investments have grown almost twofold over six years - to a striking 8.1 trillion rubles.

CLASH OF TITANS

Five years ago, Moscow's leadership set a formidable goal for the city to stand among the top 5 global economies.

By 2023, we've secured the second position on the global map, side by side with some unyielding cities, as announced by the mayor.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin during a meeting with the President. Photo: Vyacheslav Prokofyev/President of Russia Press Office/Tass

The elite top 5 constellation includes: New York, Moscow, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Beijing.

Maintaining this spot will undoubtedly be a challenge, given the rapid development in China, but with our continuous investments, human capital, industrial prowess, and high-tech strides, I believe we can sustain it, Sobyanin emphasized.

Photo: Mikhail Frolov. Pivot to KP Photo Bank

Moscow's second position against New York, with a narrow margin, can be attributed to addressing social issues such as schools, hospitals, and more, which Mr. Putin applauded.

SMART CITY 2.0

Thanks to the growth of the IT sector, Moscow has risen to become one of the smartest megacities globally. From government services to banking and grocery delivery, everything is digitized, fueled by supporting domestic innovations through tax reductions, preferential loans, and streamlined procedures for foreign experts.

The result? A fourfold increase in the IT sector over six years.

PRIORITIZING PEOPLE

Sobyanin then shared his primary focus: working with the people, starting with children and teenagers.

Earlier, we built 40-50 schools a year. Now, we aim to build 60 and renovate an additional 100. In a few years, every village school in Moscow will be modernized, the mayor declared.

Another crucial sector is focusing on colleges. Russia requires skilled professionals with secondary education, so educational institutions must be updated and made attractive.

New building of School No. 1329 in the Troparevo-Nikulino district. Photo: Moscow City News Agency.

Over the Past Year, College Applications Tops 100,000 (We Started at 60). Our Aim is to Reach 150,000 in the Future. Students Embrace Learning, and Colleges are Getting Modernized, with the Demand for Skilled Professionals.

NEW STANDARD

Updated schools will offer:- Cozy spaces for recreation and creativity,- New furniture for students,- Designated waiting areas for parents.

School libraries will morph into media hubs with zones for interaction. Classrooms and hallways will be maximally open and bright, thanks to transparent partitions and additional light windows.

HEALTH

Moscow is completing the program for reconstructing clinics. 350 units were in a deplorable state.

We will finish this program this year - every clinic in the city will be reconstructed or rebuilt, Sergei Semonovich pledged.

The situation with hospitals is more intricate - approximately a million square meters need to be built, and another million renovated:

We started this program. Not much is left - 30 buildings. We will complete this in three to four years, Mr. Mayor projected. He added that new Moscow clinics are almost indistinguishable from private ones, boasting modern facilities and world-class amenities.

The refurbished main building of Moscow City Polyclinic No.5 in Davydov Pereulok. Photo: Vladimir Novikov, press service of the mayor and government of Moscow

As a result of these advancements, the capital sets a record for life expectancy - 79.5 years!

This is the result for 2024, hovering around 80 years, Sobyanin summarized.

WHERE YOUTH REIGNS

The "Moscow Youth Empowerment" project, initiated five years ago, has reached around 620,000 young Muscovites. In 141 empowerment centers, over 15,000 clubs for teenagers flourish. Sports activities are notably popular, with an astounding 111,000 adolescents participating. Furthermore, 108,000 high school students are enrolled in educational courses, which help them discover new passions, socialize, and grow beyond their education.

AID TO THE MOTHERLAND

Moscow lends a helping hand to sister cities: Luhansk and Donetsk.

We've reconstructed over 2,000 structures, revitalized over 1,000 kilometers of infrastructure, and millions of square meters of roads in the last few years.

Photo: Alexander Reka/TASS

Next Steps:

In the previous years, we mainly focused on infrastructure improvements. Now, we're turning towards enhancing public spaces: parks, roads, and streets.
It's crucial for people to observe the changes happening in their everyday lives, - Mr. Putin agreed.

Landmark Projects Completed in 2024:

New Troitskaya Metro Line - 7 stations,
New campus of Bauman Moscow State Technical University - central cluster, "Quantum Park" complex, and dormitories,
Proton Therapy Center (Nuclear Medicine Center) at the Multidisciplinary Clinical Center "Kommunarka",
Traumatology and Orthopedics Building at City Hospital No.31,
Modern Ice Palace in Mnyovniki District.

The economy of Moscow has shown a steady rise, with a 5.5% increase in the last year alone and a surge of a quarter over six years.
Sergei Sobyanin, the mayor, acknowledged the impressive economic growth and emphasized the city's rising influence, contributing 21% to Russia's wealth.
The capital produces a third of cutting-edge technology and focuses on selling finished products, not raw materials.
In terms of the workforce, there are 750,000 individuals employed in 4,500 businesses in Moscow, with workforce efficiency in Moscow being double the national average.
Over the last six years, investments have grown almost twofold, reaching a striking 8.1 trillion rubles.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin set a formidable goal for the city to stand among the top 5 global economies, and by 2023, Moscow secured the second position on the global map.