Murmansk Region Governor suggests legislative formalization of state support measures for Arctic anchor zones (photo)

It is important to formalize in legislation the measures of state support in respect of anchor zones in the Arctic, Murmansk Region Governor Marina Kovtun said yesterday, 28 July 2016, at the meeting of the Economic Council and the Polar Commission. According to the statement of the regional government, the expanded meeting  discussed the proposals into the Federal Law “On Development of Russia’s Arctic Zone”. 

Marina Kovtun emphasized that this key document is to define the further development of Russia’s North and Murmansk Region in particular.

“It is especially important for us to formalize in legislation the measures of state support planned for anchor zone. Therefore, we included our proposals for the document elaboration,” said the Governor. 

The draft law suggests a new approach to the comprehensive development of Russia’s Arctic through anchor zones. The anchor zones will be established as comprehensive projects. All the activities aimed at social and economic development of the Arctic zone will be interlinked with each other at all phases starting from planning and goal-setting to financing and implementation.

Among the state support measures proposed by Murmansk Region Government there is a possibility for special energy pricing, promotion of projects on development of mineral resources in hard-to-reach areas or fields requiring further exploration. Besides, the regional government suggests formalization of measures aimed at boosting the construction of onshore transshipment and processing facilities including those based on private-public partnership and mechanisms of tax and customs regulation.

The Government also calls for tougher environmental requirements in the Arctic.

Taking into consideration the comprehensive approach to the development of Russia’s Arctic the anchor zones should be supported with measures aimed at the development of social sphere, improvement of services in the spheres of healthcare, education and culture.

“It should be understood that each anchor zone is a unique project as it should take into consideration specific features of each territory. Their advantages should be used as drivers of Murmansk Region development. If we succeed in formalization of mechanisms allowing for full use of the territory advantages the effect from this development will be much higher as compared with the application of a traditional  approach with the request for tax privileges and exemptions,”  Marina Kovtun.