Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved the addition of the Beryozovsky and Beloyarsky districts in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area, in Yugra, to officially become part of the Arctic zone.

“The President approved Yugra Governor Natalya Komarova’s proposal to include the Beryozovsky and Beloyarsky districts in the Arctic zone. <...> The Beryozovsky and Beloyarsky districts in Yugra have conditions that correspond to those specified in the strategy for the development of the Arctic zone, including their low population density and vast potential for the development of hydrocarbons and solid mineral resources, such as manganese, chromium, copper ore, zinc, lead, and quartz,” the regional Department of Domestic Policy reported.

The Arctic zone strategy provides for developing local high-tech production facilities, working out and implementing a program for geological study of the Arctic zone, and developing new mineral deposits, as well as efforts to introduce special economic support to facilitate private investment in developing production facilities.

The strategy also highlights requirements to upgrade healthcare facilities and social infrastructure, and to improve the availability of social services.