MOSCOW, May 23 (RIA Novosti) - Excessive intervention by the state in Russia's economy is likely to lead to a poor imitation of a capitalist model and will not bring positive results, the economics minister said Tuesday.
German Gref, widely known as a proponent of liberal economic reforms, criticized the attempts of some economic sectors to resolve their problems with state help.
"There is an innovation economy, and there is 'karaoke' capitalism," Gref said. "If we want to get an innovation product, then economic freedom is inevitable, but if we want to produce 'karaoke' then administrative resources can be used."
He also criticized government decisions that led to the expansion of state control over the economy, although he did not specify which decisions had been wrong.
"I am convinced that economic freedom and a liberal economic policy are vital for our country," Gref said.
