Penza, 20 June 2016. PenzaNews. The Penza region governor Ivan Belozertsev criticized the performance of the regional Ministry of Economy and its head Sergei Kapralov after the recently announced results with the Russian investment climate rating at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum demonstrated a decline for Penza.

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“Why are we working so poorly with them [the Agency for Strategic Initiatives]?” the head of the region asked the minister.

In turn, Sergei Kapralov said that the region is closely cooperating with the ASI.

“Even though our position in the rating declined considerably in the 2015 results, overall the government demonstrated positive performance,” he said, listing such examples as reduction of steps for enterprise registration and supply pipelines connection.

However, the head of the region did not support the statement.

“There’s no cooperation, that’s it. […] You failed this job. Who is involved with it in your ministry?” he asked.

As Sergei Kapralov clarified, the performance analyzed in the countrywide rating is curated by the assistant minister Dmitry Polukarov.

In turn, Ivan Belozertsev demanded Sergei Kapralov and other recently appointed high-ranking officials to immediately visit Moscow and rectified the situation, suggesting that the issue could have occurred due to a lack of certain required documents.

“Everything would have been well if you had cooperated [with the ASI],” Ivan Belozertsev said, and warned Sergei Kapralov that insubordination will result in a demotion.

“I need results, not excuses,” the governor stressed.

He expressed his belief that the Penza region could have entered the top 30, 20 or even 10 in the rating.

“We have everything for that,” Ivan Belozertsev summed up.