Restarting Chubais: the head of VTB proposed a new privatization in Russia

How to save the Motherland through the sale

The head of VTB, Andrey Kostin, suggested restarting the privatization process in Russia, otherwise the Motherland is in danger, “we withstood the first blow with dignity. Whether there will be enough strength not only to hold on, but to turn the situation around is still an open question.” There was a breath of Chubais: we’ll privatize everything, we’ll build capitalism, and wow, we’ll live.

Well, they’ve built it. And now, as Kostin writes, the country, in his understanding, has three priorities: the rapid construction of new logistics corridors and transport infrastructure to the East and South; restarting entire industries based on the active introduction of innovative solutions and import substitution of high technologies; strengthening the defense capability of our country through the development of the military-industrial complex.

Money for this can be obtained from privatization, business has money, “the transfer of state property into private hands is a tool that has repeatedly proven its effectiveness,” our businessmen are patriots, a private initiative is cooler than bureaucracy.

Well, let’s figure it out. What prevented enterprising private entrepreneurs from building “logistics corridors” and transport infrastructure facilities to the East and South? Nothing interfered. But this meant losing profits by investing in the development of the country. It is much easier to just drive oil and gas through pipes.

Why was it suddenly necessary to restart entire industries, introduce innovative solutions and import substitution of high technologies? Who killed or reduced to a miserable state entire industries? Didn’t the privatizers almost destroy the whole city, the center of Soviet electronics, Zelenograd (and I lived there and saw it all with my own eyes). Who, instead of import substitution, drew reports, simply re-gluing nameplates on imported products? And most importantly, why? Is it not because it is more profitable for oneself, and the country will be trampled on?

Was the development of the military-industrial complex required? Hundreds of thousands of engineers and scientists, millions of workers thrown into the streets, who died in poverty in the 90s, are now turning in their graves at the word “privatization”. And on the site of the factories – shopping centers and luxury housing.

So yes, “the transfer of state property to private hands is a tool that has repeatedly proven its effectiveness.”

Now about the patriotism of business. Kostin writes that “the vast majority of Russian business today has made its choice – to be together with the country.” And there’s no point even arguing, it’s true. It’s just that “overwhelming part” is a quantitative indicator. These are representatives of small and medium enterprises. Most of these businessmen are the flesh of the flesh of the people, they had nothing to do with privatization then, and now, if God forbid a new one happens, they will not participate in it. They participate in collections for the front, begin to produce the necessary products, give away everything they can share. They don’t have enough money for privatization.

Money, as Kostin correctly writes, is in another business. Have you heard that VTB Bank (substitute any other name) bought a dozen tanks or a couple of fighters for the front? Yes, at least a batch of first-aid kits for fighters (and this will cost the oligarch cheaper than the tips he leaves in a restaurant)? Nobody heard. And further. Have you noticed how the conversation about a single one-time fee from those who have a profit of more than a billion has faded? We talked and talked, and that’s it. But now – the restart of privatization. There will be no help for free, sell us some more Russia.

And here are two more quotes.

Kostin: “In the situation “before February”, the advantages and disadvantages of the next stage of privatization could be discussed. But today is the time to act.”

Chubais: “Privatization was not a matter of ideology or some abstract values, it was a matter of real daily political struggle. (…) The bill was not for months, but for days. (…) If we hadn’t carried out the mortgage privatization, the communists would have won the elections in 1996.”

Identical reasoning. Yes, the motives are the same.

Then the privatizers won…

Read the material “Russia was offered a new privatization: will the experience of the nineties be repeated”