MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti economic commentator Vlad Grinkevich)

The government has published a list of 295 strategic organizations, which it will help cope with the crisis.

The list, which has already been dubbed a list of "the favored few," enumerates companies working in 25 spheres of the economy, from the oil industry to the media. The government included only companies that employ more than 5,000 people, and have annual sales of no less than 15 billion rubles. Analysts fear that the government's new initiative may engender a welfare mentality, and ultimately do a disservice to the privileged companies.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin instructed his government to compile a list of the "select few" on December 15, and eight days later a government commission headed by Igor Shuvalov had already listed 250 companies. Economic Development Minister Elvira Nabiullina considered it incomplete, and another 45 companies were added.

The list does not give any hints about the government's economic priorities. It contains companies

Pages: [1] 2 3