The Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic will use unified subsidy funds amounting to some 3 billion rubles to build and renovate social facilities at economic growth centers in the Arctic zone.

“Last year, we started financing plans for social development of the economic growth centers in the Arctic zone. ’We began making provisions last year for the single presidential subsidy to be used for urban redevelopment, specifically to develop social facilities, in the same way as it is done in the Russian Far East. Last year, over 3 billion rubles was allocated for these purposes. This year’s budget allocations have been planned at approximately the same or perhaps a slightly lower level,” First Deputy Head of the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic Gadzhimagomed Guseinov told the 8th International Conference, The Arctic: Sustainable Development. 

He added that the ministry continued to implement a comprehensive socioeconomic development plan for Norilsk and other Arctic cities. He also reminded his audience that the federal budget had allocated 579 million rubles in 2021 for the priority development of social and utilities infrastructure in populated localities in the Murmansk Region where military units are stationed.

“In 2021, we implemented over 25 projects. In 2023, we have set aside about 300 million [rubles] to improve these military stations,” he specified.

He also said that in 2022, the ministry launched maritime service from St. Petersburg to the Russian Far East, performing two coastal cruises.  According to Guseinov, these cruises confirm their popularity with investors.

“This year, we will certainly continue implementing this project and will even expand it. Last year, we used just one ship – a nuclear-powered lighter carrier. This year, we are planning to use other ships as well so that they can call at smaller and shallower ports to bring supplies to Arctic settlements,” the First Deputy Minister said.

In July 2022, the Sevmorput nuclear-powered lighter carrier delivered 149 containers and 48 metal structures, sailing along the Northern Sea Route from St. Petersburg to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. The voyage took 20 days, not counting a call at Murmansk, where additional cargo was taken on board.