Marina Kovtun: state support for Arctic anchor projects must be legislated
© RIA Novosti. Vladimir Astapkovich

Marina Kovtun: state support for Arctic anchor projects must be legislated

The Murmansk Region government submitted suggestions regarding a bill on the development of the Russian Arctic. The suggestions concern special electricity rate conditions, the encouragement of exploration projects for remote mineral deposits and other issues, Governor Marina Kovtun announced at a meeting of the Economic Council and Polar Commission. The local authorities also believe it is important to legislate state support measures for anchor projects.

Ms Kovtun said the Russian Arctic development bill is a key document that will outline further development in the Russian north and the Murmansk Region, in particular.

The bill offers a new approach to the overall development of the Russian Arctic through the establishment of anchor projects that will target the social and economic development of the region and will require cooperation at every step, from planning and goal-setting to funding and completion.

"It is extremely important that state support measures for anchor projects be legally formalized. We've included them in our proposals for the draft," she stressed.

The support measures proposed by the Murmansk Region government include special terms for electricity rates, the encouragement of mineral exploration projects in remote areas or areas that require follow-up exploration.

In addition, the regional government is suggesting legal measures that will promote the construction of shoreline handling and processing terminals, including measures based on public-private partnerships and based on tax and customs tariff regulations. The government also believes it is necessary to toughen environmental regulations in the Arctic.