The RF Government has discussed the project of a special economic area in the Vostochniy port. On Tuesday the RF Ministry of economic development and trade opened the envelopes with petitions for creation of port-type special economic areas.
The Primorsky Territory Administration reported that the region also submitted a petition for the Vostochniy port. Only three ports in Russia are expected to receive the status of special economic areas this year.
The Vostochniy port was named as a possible site for a special economic area for several reasons. Its primary advantages are that it is ice-free in wintertime and is the deepest one on the Pacific shore of Russia. Besides that, it has direct connections with Transsib and Primorye 1 transport routes.
Establishing the port-type economic area should play an important part in preparation for the APEC Summit in Vladivostok. It is expected to strengthen the positions of the South of Primorye and Vladivostok as a communication platform, the economic outpost of Russia in the Asia-Pacific region. It should substantially improve trade and transport relations with the neighbouring countries.