A delegation from the Murmansk Region took part in the III Russian-Chinese Investment Development and Trade Cooperation Forum, held in Shenyang, Liaoning Province.
During the business session "New opportunities for investment in Russia. Creating a new driving force for enterprise development" Dmitry Titarenko, Deputy Minister of Arctic Development and Economy of the Murmansk Region, presented the key advantages of the region, including its advantageous geographical location, the ice–free port of Murmansk, the main port for the Transarctic Transport Corridor and the gates of the Northern Sea Route, rich natural resources, and unique natural phenomena that attract tourists from all over the world as well as priority areas for cooperation.
"We continue to strive to develop our competitive advantages and invite all interested partners to invest in the Murmansk Region. We express our extreme interest in bilateral cooperation in the development of international trade relations to ensure further growth of cargo turnover," Dmitry Titarenko emphasized.
Artem Kuksa, Director General of the Murmansk Region Development Corporation, spoke at the session "A New Impetus for Sino-Russian Logistics", where he presented the region's port capabilities and their importance in the development of the Transarctic transport corridor. In addition, he noted the Murmansk Region's interest in developing container transportation and its willingness to work together with Chinese shippers, as well as jointly implement large-scale logistics initiatives.
"The Murmansk Region is open to cooperation with foreign investors in the development of port and warehouse infrastructure aimed at significantly increasing the cargo turnover of the port of Murmansk using the capabilities of the Transarctic Transport Corridor, as well as in the creation of new shipbuilding facilities," said Artem Kuksa.
Within the framework of the forum, representatives of the delegation held a number of meetings with potential investors and partners, discussed prospects for the development of bilateral cooperation in various sectors of the economy. Special attention was focused on the prospects of reorienting cargo flows from traditional routes to the Northern Sea Route using Murmansk's port infrastructure as a strategic transport hub.
Representatives of the Lavna Commercial Seaport, a project whose facilities are currently in the final stage of construction, and more than 95 percent of them are ready, took an active part in dialogues with foreign companies. In the future, it is planned to transfer coal transshipment from the city limits of Murmansk to the western shore of the Kola Bay.
Yulia Vyatkina, Lavna Port Construction Project Manager, presented the priority areas of cooperation with Chinese companies. According to her, the port is interested in establishing direct contacts with major Chinese equipment manufacturers.
"We are interested in partnering with Chinese major manufacturers of mechanical, hydraulic, electrical and other technological equipment components in order to purchase equipment without intermediate links directly. We are also ready to cooperate with partners from China who are interested in exporting the Russian coal industry and are committed to partnership in terms of cross—border logistics routes between Russia and China, as well as cargo traffic along the Great Northern Sea Route through Murmansk," said Yulia Vyatkina.
As part of the business mission, special attention was paid to visiting the Liaozhong Free Economic Zone, located in the district of the same name in Shenyang, Liaoning Province. The key object of the visit was the Chinese-Russian Industrial Park, a large—scale project aimed at developing bilateral economic cooperation. The project is in the active stage of implementation. Its comprehensive launch is planned to be carried out by 2030. By this time, it is expected to complete the construction of the necessary infrastructure, attract strategic partners and locate the production facilities of various enterprises.
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The Russian-Chinese Forum, which has been held since 2019, serves as a key platform for strengthening trade and economic ties between the two countries. It unites businesses, investment funds, logistics companies and the authorities of Russia and China. The forum is held under the patronage of the Liaoning Provincial Government and with the support of the Russian-Chinese company KIFA LLC.
/ Murmansk Region Development Corporation /
Photo: PJSC "KIFA"