04/2021

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EASTERN ECONOMIC FORUM NEWS19 May 2021, Forbes

A meeting on preparations for EEF 2021 held in Vladivostok
During his working trip to Primorye Territory, Deputy Prime Minister – Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy
to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev held a meeting on the preparation for the Eastern EconomicForum (EEF). The issues of investors' and government officials' participation in the 2021 Forum, readiness ofVladivostok's urban infrastructure, as well as epidemiological safety measures were discussed.

forbes.ru/forbes-agenda/forbes-agenda/429797-vo-vladivostoke-proshlo-soveshchanie-popodgotovke-k-vef-2021
4 May 2021, Forbes

New agglomerations, smart cities and green transformation discussed at the first
online session in the course of preparation for the EEF
The first online session in the course of preparation for the Eastern Economic Forum was held on 30April 2021. The event was organized by the Government of the Sakhalin Region, the Ministry for theDevelopment of the Russian Far East, the Far East Development Corporation, and the Roscongress
Foundation. Participants of the session discussed topical issues related to the development of the region andthe international agenda.
The discussion was mainly focused on the development of territories directly connected to the sea:
through a coastline, a system of bays, or seaports. It is suggested that integration makes it possible to realize
the tourist potential of the territories, to perform the renovation of regional and local facilities, and to provide anincentive for industrial development.
As part of the agglomeration process, the prospects for creating an ecopolis in Korsakov are underconsideration. The town may benefit from a multimodal international logistics centre based at the seaport; aspecial economic zone governed by international law, with special registration regime; a scientific andeducational centre for ocean economics (including a campus for 9,000 students); an innovative multicultural
centre with a comfortable urban environment and housing with a total area of about 1 million sq. metres.

forbes.ru/forbes-agenda/forbes-agenda/428555-novye-aglomeracii-umnye-goroda-i-zelenuyutransformaciyu-obsudili

INTERNATIONAL ARCTIC FORUM EVENTS
20 May 2021, RIA Novosti

Russia assumes Chairmanship in the Arctic Council for 2021–2023
Chairmanship of the Arctic Council has passed over to Russia for the next two years. The ceremony took
place at the Ministerial meeting of the eight Arctic States in Reykjavik. Icelandic Foreign Minister Guðlaugur ÞórÞórðarson handed over the ceremonial gavel – a symbol of the Council Chairmanship – to his Russian counterpart
Sergei Lavrov.
As part of its Arctic Council Chairmanship in 2021–2023, Russia intends to develop cooperation with theparticipating countries in four key areas: population of the Arctic, including the indigenous peoples of the North;protection of the Arctic environment, including climate change; social and economic development of the region; andstrengthening the role of the Arctic Council as the main platform for multilateral cooperation in high latitudes. Thisis stated by the Concept of the Chairmanship of the Russian Federation in the Arctic Council in 2021–2023,
approved by Mikhail Mishustin.
The Concept is aimed at implementing the tasks set by the Russian President in the Fundamentals of State
Policy of the Russian Federation in the Arctic and the Strategy for Developing the Russian Arctic Zone and Ensuring
National Security through 2035.

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ria.ru/20210520/arktika-1733131106.html

GOVERNMENT POLICY IN THE FAR EAST AND THE
ARCTIC
25 May 2021, Rossiyskaya Gazeta

Murmansk Region to simplify allocation of Arctic Hectares as of 1 AugustThis becomes possible due to the decision to extend the Far Eastern Hectare programme to the entire
Russian Arctic zone. The simplified procedure includes simultaneous allocation and provision of a land lot, sothat the process would take no longer than 45 days. The lot is provided without bidding for a 5-year term forfree use. Should the land be reclaimed within this term, it may be purchased or leased. Possible land use
options include construction of residential housing or countryside homes, agriculture, and tourism.
The land lots will be distributed by the regional government: Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment
and Fisheries (forest land lots) and the Ministry of Property Relations. The largest territories are designated in
the Kola region.
The Arctic Hectare programme in the Murmansk Region is to be launched on 1 August 2021. More than
700,000 hectares of land are to be allocated.

rg.ru/2021/05/24/reg-szfo/zhiteli-zapoliaria-smogut-poluchit-gektar-zemli-v-uproshchennomporiadke.html
23 May 2021, Rossiyskaya Gazeta

National tourism project will make Kamchatka more accessible for Russians, Dmitry
Chernyshenko says
Accessibility of Kamchatka and other regions where ecotourism develops will be increased thanks tothe national project "Tourism and hospitality industry". This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry
Chernyshenko during a meeting on the development of tourism in the Kamchatka Territory, the Valley ofGeysers and other Protected Areas of Russia. "Three Volcanoes Park", a modern multifunctional tourist andrecreational complex, is going to be created with the participation of the Tourism.RF corporation in Kamchatka.
The Park will be cultivated in accordance with the principles of sustainable development and Environmental,
Social and Corporate governance (ESG).

rg.ru/2021/05/23/reg-dfo/chernyshenko-kamchatka-stanet-dostupnee-dlia-rossiian-blagodarianacproektu.html
19 May 2021, Argumenty i Fakty

State Duma committee approves facilitating the access to the Russian Arctic zone forsmall businesses
The State Duma Committee on Economic Policy sponsors the bill designed to facilitate the access of
small businesses to the Russian Arctic zone. The legislation removes the requirement to make capital
investments in the construction, modernization or reconstruction of real estate for small businesses applying for
the Arctic zone residency. At the same time, the specification of economic activities that are not subject to theserequirements should be determined by the Government of the Russian Federation.

aif.ru/politics/gosduma_podderzhala_uproshchenie_dostupa_malogo_biznesa_v_arkticheskuyu_zonu3

ECONOMY OF THE RUSSIAN FAR EAST ANDARCTIC
21 May 2021, Izvestia

Vladimir Putin praises the development of infrastructure in the Russian Arctic
On 21 May, the President congratulated Russian polar explorers on their professional holiday, noting that
thanks to their efforts, Russia is actively developing industrial and transport infrastructure in the Arctic and Subpolar
regions.
“This professional holiday is dedicated to the brave, courageous, dedicated people who contribute to theexploration and development of the polar territories: scientists, meteorologists, geologists, pilots, seafarers,
construction workers, and other professionals. We have every right to be proud of the results of their challenging,selfless work,” the head of state notes.

iz.ru/1167081/2021-05-21/putin-pozdravil-poliarnikov-s-professionalnym-prazdnikom
12 May 2021, TASS

Russian Government to allocate RUB 15 billion to the state programme for theRussian Arctic development
This was stated by Mikhail Mishustin during his presentation of a report to the State Duma on theactivities of the Government in 2020. The main goal of the programme is to ensure the region's sustainable
development, attracting investors, and creating new jobs.

tass.ru/ekonomika/11349895

NEW MECHANISMS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OFTHE FAR EAST AND ARCTIC: SUCCESS STORIES
20 May 2021, RIA Novosti

Representatives of Russian and Chinese regions discuss the prospects for investment
and trade
The first ever discussion on the prospects for trade, economic and investment cooperation was held
between the representatives of the Far Eastern Federal District's regions and the southern provinces of the People's
Republic of China. The online meeting was organized by the Far East Development Corporation and the Chinese
Embassy in Russia with the support of the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic.
Chinese businesses are involved in the development of such sectors of the economy as agriculture,
forestry, transport logistics, etc. Therefore, a more active participation of Chinese coastal provinces with vast
experience and potential for cooperation will allow to find more common ground, strengthen business cooperationand increase the project's scale in the future, says Li Jingyuan, representative of the Chinese Embassy in Russia.

https://ria.ru/20210524/investitsii-1733650693.html
13 May 2021, The Arctic

New podcast about life in the North is now available on popular platforms
Arctic Vibes is the name of a new audio podcast launched by the Information and Analytical Centre of theState Commission for the Development of the Arctic in collaboration with the Institute of Regional Consulting.

4The project is aimed at launching a public and professional discussion about life in the Arctic, construction
and development of Arctic settlements, “Arctic urban planning” and social aspects of life in the North, the podcast
creators say.

ru.arctic.ru/new93411.html
The Roscongress Foundation is a socially oriented non-financial development institution and a major organizer ofinternational conventions; exhibitions; and business, public, sporting, and cultural events. It was established in pursuance of adecision by the President of the Russian Federation.
The Foundation was established in 2007 with the aim of facilitating the development of Russia’s economic potential,
promoting its national interests, and strengthening the country’s image. One of the roles of the Foundation is to comprehensively
evaluate, analyse, and cover issues on the Russian and global economic agendas. It also offers administrative services,provides promotional support for business projects and attracting investment, and helps foster social entrepreneurship andcharitable initiatives.
Each year, the Foundation’s events draw participants from 208 countries and territories, with more than 15,000 media
representatives working on-site at Roscongress’ various venues. The Foundation benefits from analytical and professional
expertise provided by 5000 people working in Russia and abroad. In addition, it works in close cooperation with 133 economic
partners; industrialists’ and entrepreneurs’ unions; and financial, trade, and business associations from 70 countries worldwide.
roscongress.orgORGANIZER OF THE EASTERN ECONOMIC FORUM AND THE INTERNATIONAL ARCTIC FORUM5