The Russian government is drafting a plan to prevent its real economy from slowing down due to the global financial crisis, Itar-Tass news agency reported yesterday.

The anti-crisis plan, initiated by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, pledged to establish legal and regulatory basis and transparent procedures "for supporting the legitimate interests of investors and creditors and preventing bankruptcies."

It vowed to "step up the most effective forms" to help such industries as construction, machine building, the defense-industrial complex, the raw materials sector, retail trade and farming, Itar-Tass said.

The government will take measures to encourage exports and domestic consumption, offer preferential loans for production upgrade, as well as take customs and tariff protection measures for such industries as aircraft building and farming.

"Our enterprises must not be forced to suffer from exchange rate policies, and importers must not be allowed to enjoy advantages," Putin said, promising to "provide more tangible support" for small and medium-sized businesses.

The state-run banks may expand lending or offer preferential terms of leasing federal properties. Also, small and medium-sized businesses may be given greater access to participation in state contracts, Itar-Tass said.