MOSCOW, December 29 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian economic development and trade minister said Thursday that it was ridiculous that the Federal Taxation Service returns VAT to military arms exporters only after two or three years.
"I see no point in the work of the tax service," German Gref said. "We create obstructions for ourselves and then fight them."
The minister said most of the military enterprises return their VAT through courts and that the issue must be settled in 2006.
Gref also called the current system of social aid extremely ineffective.
"We need to work out a completely new system of social aid, depending on the needs," the minister said.
Gref said the system should be overhauled to reduce the percentage of people living below the poverty level from 17% in 2004 to 9% in 2010.
