On May 23, within the framework of the Russian-Chinese Business Forum, which is taking place these days in Shanghai, a round table "Presentation of the industrial and investment potential of Russian regions and business initiatives" was held. The event was attended by the Governor of the Murmansk region Andrey Chibis.
"The leaders of our countries have agreed on the joint development of the Northern Sea Route. Today, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin also singled out this task separately. This opens up new opportunities for cooperation between the Murmansk Region and Chinese partners," Governor Andrey Chibis said in his opening speech.
The head of the region stressed that at present there is a serious basis for technological cooperation between the companies of the Kola Arctic and Chinese partners.
"Well-known manufacturing and logistics companies, including the largest in Russia, operate on our territory: NOVATEK, Norilsk Nickel, PhosAgro, Eurochem, Akron, Severstal. It is important that, despite the pandemic, the restrictions imposed on our country — the economy is growing, the dynamics remains at a decent level, and the indicators are higher than the national average. All the projects that are being implemented in the Murmansk Region are fixed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Arctic Development Strategy," the governor said.
Andrey Chibis said that there are three unique tax regimes operating in the region, which today allows creating one of the most favorable climates for business development in the country.
"The Murmansk Region is fully included in the AZRF zone, the first and only territory of advanced development in the Russian Arctic operates, which gives additional tax preferences to residents. In addition, we have reduced taxes for small and medium-sized businesses six times by regional legislation, thereby increasing its development. Today, projects with planned investments in the Murmansk Region's portfolio exceed 1 trillion in the next 10 years," the head of the region said.
Andrey Chibis listed some of the most significant and large-scale cases implemented in the region. Among them is the construction of unique gas liquefaction plants by NOVATEK. Andrey Chibis stressed that thanks to this, a unique production facility has been created in the region in terms of technical competencies. At the moment, work is underway on the second platform.
Another important trunk project that is necessary for the development of the Northern Sea Route is the Murmansk Transport Hub.
"Cargo transshipment in the Murmansk region exceeds 50 million tons per year. Thanks to the support of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the federal government, we are building a new railway to the western shore of the Kola Bay, the powerful port of Lavna. This will increase cargo handling to 80 million tons. The Murmansk Region is the basic locomotive in everything that concerns the loading of the Northern Sea Route," the governor noted.
Andrey Chibis stressed that the growth that exists in the region has serious prospects and opportunities.
"I am sure that our Chinese partners will find projects in the Murmansk Region for investment and joint implementation. A single window system works for this. All projects are supported by the team of the regional government, and we receive the support of the federal center for all key projects. Our thesis, rule, slogan is "To live in the North." We live by it, we are proud of it and we invite everyone to the Kola Arctic," the governor addressed the participants of the round table.
The heads of the Chelyabinsk and Nizhny Novgorod regions, heads of the Komi and Tatarstan Republics, directors and representatives of large companies also made presentations at the round table.
Recall that the head of the region Andrey Chibis, as part of the delegation of the Government of the Russian Federation, is working in Shanghai today.
/ Ministry of Information Policy of the Murmansk Region /