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There are also difficulties of a different nature due to our own shortcomings and deficiencies. We make no secret of this. Sometimes we do not ^ work well enough. We have not yet learned proper managerial skills as is required by a modern economy. The imperative of our time is to decisively improve the state of things. Hence the concept of accelerated social and economic development. Today it is our most important, top-priority task. We are planning to make better use of capital investments, to give priority to the development of such major industries as engineering, electrical engineering and electronics, energy production, transport and others. Attention remains focused also on the agri-industrial complex, especially as regards processing and storage of agricultural produce. We will do all that is necessary to better meet demand in high-quality food products.
To improve the functioning of the national economy it will be necessary to further strengthen centralization in strategic areas of the economy through making individual branches, regions and elements of the economy more responsive to the needs of economic development. But at the same time we are seeking to strengthen democratic principles in management, to broaden the autonomy of production associations, enterprises, collective and state farms, to develop local economic self-management and to encourage initiative and a spirit of enterprise.
In short, we seek the most rational method of managing the economy. Large- scale economic experiments are under way that are aimed essentially at developing a more efficient mechanism of management that would dramatically accelerate the rate of scientific and technological progress and make better use of all resources. Our objective is that in solving this task, all levels of material and moral incentives and such tools as profit, pricing, credit and self-sufficiency of enterprises should be put to work. That is the thrust of our work for radical improvement in the entire system of management and planning.
In addition, we are bringing into play other potentials for speeding up economic development. I mean greater discipline and order, demanding more from everyone, from worker to minister, a drive against irresponsibility and red tape, instilling labor ethics, ensuring greater social justice throughout the whole of society.
So we have enough economic problems and things to attend to, and indeed what country doesn't? We are aware of our problem, and we are confident of the capabilities inherent in our social system and our country. I have recently visited various regions, had meetings with many people--workers and < farmers, engineers and scientists. And what was common to all those meetings? Need for a drastic change and the necessity to radically improve performance are not only supported by the people but becoming their demands, the real imperative of our time.