"A strategy for Siberia's economic development was adopted in 2002, but I have to admit it had not resulted in the serious regional development we were counting on," Putin said at a session on regional development in the Western Siberian oil city of Tomsk ahead of a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
He said the development of resource-rich Siberia should focus on integration with the rest of the country as well as global markets, and added that natural resources should be exploited more effectively.
Putin said the competitive advantage export-oriented industries have due to easy accessibility and low production costs was being eroded by a lack of infrastructure for new projects.
He also said processing industries, particularly in the forestry sector, should be a priority, since Siberia is home to over 40% of the country's forests.
