Murmansk region ready to work with investors

The 7th German-Russian resource conference took place in Dresden in early April. Next year's event, which is held alternately in Russia and Germany, may take place in Murmansk. Acting Governor of the Murmansk region Marina Kovtun said during the conference that the region has a lot, with which it can engage the interest of potential partners.

Today, the Murmansk region is one of the most attractive regions of the North-West of Russia. The region is rich with natural resources and has a developed transportation and logistics system, In addition, the regional government creates favorable conditions for doing business. Investors can be assured that regional authorities will provide full support and assistance to them: it goes about significant tax benefits, developed mechanisms to protect business and stable legislation.

Amendments to the regional legislation, adopted in 2013, will give investors in the Murmansk region extensive support from the state. Direct communication with the Acting Governor removes any administrative obstacles; the support of investment projects is being conducted on base of one stop principle. A special regime of preferential payments to the regional budget has been established along with extra-budgetary funds for the period of the actual return on investment. The standards of activities of the executive authorities of the Russian Federation are being actively implemented.

"The standard includes 15 best practices for improving regional investment climate. As for the Murmansk region, according to estimates of the Expert Group, the region has introduced eleven out of 15 possible sections of the Standard, - Assistant Minister for Economic Development, press secretary Elena Lashkina told Pravda.Ru in an exclusive commentary. - The introduction of the Standard per se, that is, the formal implementation of its requirements, does not guarantee the inflow of investments in the region. However, it contributes to the creation of simple business environment and improves investment climate in the region of the Russian Federation. There is a lot to be done. It is important to ensure effective enforcement practices so that entrepreneurs in the region see the real effects of the implementation of systemic reforms to simplify administrative procedures."

Marina Kovtun is confident that the business community needs to know about the ample opportunities for business activities in the Arctic region of Russia.

"We have an extensive experience in holding international economic forums, and I'm sure Murmansk would be an excellent venue for a conference. In addition, it will be a perfect reason to build regional cooperation between the Murmansk region and German lands," the head of the region said.

"German entrepreneurs are a little apolitical, and regardless of vicissitudes of modern times, business relations with them last long. This is certainly good, and the bigger competition will be, the better," Alexander Abramov, a professor of the stock market and investment of the Higher School of Economics, said in an interview with Pravda.Ru.

"Exchange of exhibitions, exchange of delegations, the formation of direct contacts between entrepreneurs and companies - all of this is always useful, - said Vladislav Korochkin, vice president of public organization Support of Russia. - The question of possibilities is important here: who can organize it and who can not. If the Murmansk region can arrange all this and will be able to attract a sufficient number of foreign participants, it will mean that they are doing a great job. Keep it up!"