‘We can already predict that the average monthly salary within the region is going to reach 14,000 RUR, which is 25.5% better than a year earlier,’ Sverdlovsk Region Minister for Economics and Labor Galina Kovaleva announced at the regional government meeting on June 6, 2007. The meeting was devoted to compliance of the regional authorities with the President’s address to the Federal Assembly regarding the country’s development in 2007-2008. Regional cabinet members, representatives of the federal authorities, mayors of regional cities, directors of large industrial enterprises and organizations as well as scientists and financial experts were present.