Arkhangelsk top news in December
WEEK 48 (December 1-5)
Prirazlomnaya platform delivered to Murmansk
Offshore fixed ice-resistant platform Prirazlomnaya has been safely delivered to Murmansk to finish construction.
Russian-Czech cooperation within energy sector
A new power plant and a cogeneration plant will be built in Arkhangelsk under a Russian-Czech Memorandum on strategic partnership for implementation of inter-governmental agreements within energy sector. These will be pilot projects and they will use natural gas. Total investments from the Czech consortium CZET are estimated to be about 2 billion euro.
International conference of water resources
International conference “Water Resources Management in the Barents Region” which is arranged by the BEAR Working group on Environment (chaired by Sweden) took place in Arkhangelsk on November 30 – December 1.
Budget of Arkhangelsk for 2011 approved
Budget of Arkhangelsk for 2011 has been approved by the Deputies in the first reading. Total revenue for 2011 is expected to be about 6.2 billion rubles, thus growing by 1.6 % as compared to 2010. City budget deficit for 2011 is estimated to be 10 %.
Federal money for regional development
Arkhangelsk Oblast will receive extra 729 million rubles from the federal budget to construct social facilities and support agriculture, and also 1 billion rubles to develop housing construction.
Micro loans for SMBs
Arkhangelsk Regional Centre for small and medium businesses microfinancing provides micro loans from 30 000 up to 1 million rubles to local companies from the Oblast and the Nenets Okrug. Loan terms are from 3 months to 1 year. Annual interest rate is 10%. Rules of loan granting are simplified. The project is one of the measures to support small and medium business in the area and it is financed from the regional budget.
Arctic expedition by “Mikhail Somov”
Scientific research vessel “Mikhail Somov” from the Northern Hydro meteorological Directorate is coming to Arkhangelsk on December 3 from a three-month Arctic voyage. For the first time in many years the vessel travelled along the Northern Sea Route from Arkhangelsk to Pevek delivering fuel, food, equipment to hard-to-reach areas. The expedition has been comprehensive, multi-purpose and socially-oriented.
Focus on development of bioenergy
Governor Ilya Mikhalchuk took part in the meeting of the Council on timber industrial complex development in the RF Government. The meeting was devoted to the development of bioenergy, and they discussed use of wood wastes as an energy source, thus reducing heat and electricity production costs and improving energy efficiency of the economic sector. The experience of the Arkhangelsk Oblast was presented. It was decided to hold a visiting meeting of the Council in the Arkhangelsk region in April 2011. The meeting will focus on energy issues and the study of regional experience.
Finnish businessmen want to cooperate with the regional industry
Finnish businessmen are attracted by perspectives to cooperate with local companies within Arctic offshore oil and gas development projects. A delegation of Finnish companies producing welding and lifting equipment arrived to Arkhangelsk to discuss possible cooperation with shipbuilding and other industrial companies form the Pomor land. It was especially highlighted at the meeting in the Regional Government that the idea is not just to sell Finnish equipment to local companies, but to start long-term joint projects and establish Russian production facilities on the basis of foreign technologies.
Steel for the Arctic goes through Arkhangelsk
Million tons of steel has been transshipped through the Arkhangelsk commercial sea port under the partnership agreement made more than 5 years ago between the JSC “United Metallurgic Company” and JSC “Arkhangelsk Commercial Sea Port”. Large-diameter pipes for the biggest gas pipelines in the country are made out of the steel which is transshipped through the Arkhangelsk port. Transit of such cargo emphasizes and strengthens the role of Arkhangelsk as an integrated logistic center for the development of offshore fields and also stimulates development of regional economy due to the increase of cargo turnover in the harbor and on the railway.
Russia and Norway against violence in families
Cooperation between crisis centers to fight against violence in the North-west of Russia and Norway is developing under a new Russian-Norwegian project «JUWOBA» - Justice for women in the Barents region who suffered from violence in close relationships» which was launched in Kirkenes in October this year.
WEEK 49 (December 6-12)
Regional Concept for external-economic activity
The Government of the Arkhangelsk Oblast and the Arkhangelsk Customs in 2011 will together develop and adopt a Regional Concept of external-economic activity. This was decided at the meeting of the Advisory Board on Customs Policy, where the members are officials from the local Customs, representatives from business and authorities of the Arkhangelsk Oblast.
“Norwegian Saga” by Arkhangelsk artist
Exhibition by Rashid Sagadeev “The Norwegian Saga” is opening in the regional library named after Dobrolyubov. The exhibition made by the Arkhangelsk artist - a participant of the Russian-Norwegian project “Artistic Residences” - is a result from a creative trip to Tromsø.
Joint Russian-Norwegian concert
A joint concert by the Arkhangelsk Chamber Orchestra and a saxophone player from Tromsø Ola Ausdal Rokkones took place in the Philharmonic Chamber Hall of Arkhangelsk. Rokkones had already played in Arkhangelsk, Murmansk and Petrozavodsk as a part of a jazz quartet DripP. Thanks to his cooperation with the Head of the Chamber Orchestra Vladimir Onufriev this time he performed as a classical musician and played classical music by Tchaikovsky, Glazunov, Grieg, and Piazzolla.
Seminars by Shtokman Development AG
A seminar “Communication within Shtokman project” took place in Arkhangelsk. Representatives from Shtokman Development AG told reporters about the project status and plans for the nearest future. A new company’s web-page www.shtokman.ru was also presented.
At the technical seminar for the local industry arranged in Arkhangelsk by Shtokman Development AG the seminar participants received detailed information about requirements and possibilities for Russian companies to participate in the projects. Most of the technical and financial parts of the project will be located in Murmansk. The Pomor land, in particular, is planned to be used as an integrated logistic base for the field development and for training personnel in the Northern (Arctic) Federal University.
Cardiac surgeries together with Norwegian colleagues
Arkhangelsk surgeons together with their colleagues from Oslo have successfully made three cardiac surgeries in the city hospitals №1. Such surgeries have become possible under a long-term program for experience exchange between the specialists from city hospital №1 and Oslo hospital which has been implemented since 1993.
International environmental project in the region
International environmental project “Steps towards sustainable development of the North: Ecofocus” is being implemented in the Ustyany district with the financial support from the Nordic Council of Ministers. The project is first of all intended for children and youth to promote and develop environmental thinking.
WEEK 50 (December 13-19)
Federal money to Severodvinsk
According to the investment plan of Severodvinsk the Oblast will receive 40 billion rubles by 2020 from the federal budget to develop this single-industry city. Half of the money will be spent to upgrade and convert the production facilities at Sevmash, Zvyozdochka, and SPO Arktika. The priority at that is given to employment of the city population.
Visit by Vladimir Putin to Arkhangelsk Oblast
Vladimir Putin, Chair of the Russian Government, held a meeting in the Arkhangelsk Oblast about “Draft State armament program for 2011-2020”. The program will become a basis for re-weaponing of the Russian military forces for modern weapons, military machines and equipment. The Government gives 20 trillion rubles for the program, but the money should go only to those companies, which are technically prepared to do the job. The key priority of the State policy for the nearest perspective is to support breakthrough ideas and technologies both in the military and in the civil sectors.
Vladimir Putin had a meeting with the Governor Ilya Mikhalchuk. During the meeting the Chairman of the Russian Government supported a number of regional projects. It was also agreed at the meeting to arrange the International Forum of the Russian Geographic Society in Arkhangelsk in 2011.
Investments into communal housing sector
JSC White Sea Energy is planning to invest more than 7 billion rubles in the regional fuel-and-energy and communal housing sector in 2011. At that, they plan to transfer 26 boilers to gas with the support from JSC Gazprom and JSC Mezhregiongaz. Besides, next year more reconstruction and construction of other energy facilities are planned in the region, including the construction of wind energy park with capacity up to 300 MW, which is mentioned in the agreement signed between the JSC White Sea Energy and SoWiTec INTERNATIONAL GmbH (Germany).
Forest management quality estimated
Independent forest management rating made up by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) with the help of the National Rating Agency (NRA) has identified weak and strong points within forest management in the Arkhangelsk Oblast. According to the rating the region is among the areas where forest management quality is estimated to be “above average”.
Initiative to establish a Centre for managing development processes in the Arctic
Researchers from N(Ar)FU have initiated to establish a Centre for managing development processes in the Arctic. Today the situation is such that arctic areas belong to different federal districts, and there isn’t yet any Centre, which would unite them. There is also no rapid information exchange about what is going on in the arctic territories, no unified scientific research and personnel training systems.
Cargo turnover in Northern harbors increased in 2010
Cargo turnover of the harbors in the North-West of Russia has grown by 2.2% in 2010 as compared to the last year. In particular, cargo turnover in the port of Arkhangelsk has grown by 11.6% to reach 3.35 million tons.
Court decision in favor of the Norwegian Odfjell
Arkhangelsk court has made its decision in favor of the Norwegian shipping company Odfjell regarding its dispute with Sevmash from Severodvinsk. The court affirmed the Odfjell’s claim to make the Russian company satisfy arbitration verdict and pay the Norwegian company 43 million USD.
Oxford debates in Arkhangelsk
The first students’ “Oxford debates” called «When in Rome, do as the Romans do» have been arranged in Arkhangelsk within an international youth project. The project is supported by the Consulate General of Great Britain in St.-Petersburg. Young boys and girls from 18 to 25 take part in the debates: they are all English-speaking, have active citizenship and are interested in the development of international youth cooperation. According to the format of the debates two mixed teams take part in them. The teams are made up of British students and young people from the Arkhangelsk Oblast.
Northern Sea Route development
At the press-conference devoted to the perspectives of the Northern Sea Route development they were talking about the role of Arkhangelsk in cargo transit through the Arctic, and also about goods deliveries to the High North and deliveries of machines and equipment to remote polar stations. The exceptional role of the hydrographic, scientific and research vessels and aviation from Arkhangelsk in ensuring safe navigation along the Northern Sea Route was especially underlined. It was said that is necessary to adopt a Federal Law “About the Northern Sea Route”. Initiative to establish a representative office of the Northern Sea Route administration in Arkhangelsk was discussed. In 2011 Russia will finish its research activities for delimitation of the continental shelf in the Arctic and will apply to the UNO to fix its rights for the shelf. In this respect development of the Northern Sea Route is a step forward for Russia in its fight for the Arctic. According to the federal program it is planned to enlarge the Russian fleet with more nuclear icebreakers and research vessels, as well as to launch a number of Russian satellites “Arktika”.
Arkhangelsk regional budget for 2011 approved
Deputies from the Arkhangelsk Regional Assembly (Regional Duma) approved the budget of the Oblast for 2011 in the final reading. Regional budget revenue is expected to be 38.7 billion rubles, expenditures — 42.5 billion rubles. Most of the expenditures will again be made for the social purposes.
Court hearings under hijacking Arctic Sea case began
Pre-trial hearing will take place in the Arkhangelsk regional court on December 16 under the criminal case in relation to a crime group of six people who are accused of hijacking dry cargo vessel Arctic Sea.
Pomor brand as a resource for regional development
The Pomor Association and the Tourist Association will together promote the resources of incoming tourism in the region under the “Pomor Land” brand. According to this brand the Arkhangelsk Oblast is positioned as the motherland of the great Pomor man Mikhail Lomonosov and the land of unique Pomor culture.
2011: the year of rural tourism in the Oblast
Community Council in the Ministry on Youth Affairs, Sports and Tourism of the Arkhangelsk Oblast summed up the results within tourist industry in 2010 and defined its further perspectives for 2011. In January 2011 tourist e-map of the Arkhangelsk region will be launched, two important arrangements will take place for the first time in the region in spring: Youth Tourist Projects Forum and International Tourism Forum which is expected to have more than 200 participants from Russia, Norway, Finland, and Sweden. In general the year 2011 will become in the Arkhangelsk Oblast a year of rural tourism.
Russian-Norwegian seminar on energy-efficiency and energy-saving
Another seminar on energy efficiency took place in Arkhangelsk under the Russian-Norwegian energy efficiency and energy-saving project.
Direct flights to Helsinki started
Direct flight from Arkhangelsk and Murmansk to Helsinki is performed by Nordavia. AN-24 will make regular flights three times a week on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The ticket price until the end of this year is declared to be 30 euro.
Aeroflot is selling out its shares in Nordavia
Aeroflot has decided to sell its 51% of “Nordavia-regional airline” shares. According to Vedomosti newspaper, the asset will be bought by Norilski Nikel. The deal is now being discussed and will have to be officially approved by the air company’s Board of Directors.
WEEK 51 (December 20-26)
Cooperation with Norway within agriculture
At the meeting in the Arkhangelsk agricultural research institute with Morten Furunes, consultant on Russian-Norwegian agricultural projects, they discussed perspectives for cooperation with Norway within beef cattle breeding program. According to this program it is planned to bring to the Oblast a large lot of pedigreed cattle or genic material for meat production, as well as to buy technological equipment, agricultural machines, and to arrange study trips for managers and specialists form agricultural companies.
Sevmash is not ready to pay the bills
Sevmash is not ready to pay 44 million USD under the suit form the Norwegian company even in spite of the decision of the Stockholm and Arkhangelsk courts. Severodvinsk company will appeal against the Arkhangelsk regional arbitration court decision under the suit from the Norwegian Odfjell SE.
2011: arrangements within Lomonosov year
In the year of 300-yera jubilee of Lomonosov there will be arranged in the Arkhangelsk Oblast more than 60 international and all-Russia events. The year will start with the international conference Arctic Frontiers arranged in Norway under the Lomonosov-Nansen initiative. A representative delegation from the Oblast will take part in the conference. June and November 2011 are expected to be the busiest with international and all-Russia arrangements.
The Governor addressed the regional Deputies: main focus is on demography
Ilya Mikhalchuk, Governor of the Arkhangelsk Oblast, addressed the regional Deputies’ Assembly with a yearly speech to tell about social, economic and political situation in the Oblast. The Governor touched upon the issues of modernization of the economy, attraction of investments, energy efficiency and gasification, and development of agricultural sector. But the focus in the speech was made on the demographics. For the first time it was possible to see and hear the Governor on-line on the official web-page of the local Government www.dvinaland.ru.
Tax-payers’ money for the promotion of local authorities
114 million roubles is given for promotion of the Governor and the Government of the Arkhangelsk Oblast in 2011 within the program “Raising public awareness about social and economic development of the Arkhangelsk Oblast in 2011”. There is an opinion that all these activities under the program are just a means for promoting the ruling political party at the account of the regional population in the year of elections.
N(Ar)FU delegation to Tromsø
Two visits to Tromso – to NORUT and Tromso University – were made in December within strategic cooperation between N(Ar)FU and research and higher educational establishments of Northern Norway. Meetings and negotiations with the Norwegian partners were expected to identify mutual professional interests and initiate joint research and educational projects.
A new partner for ALROSA in the Severalmaz project
ALROSA is ready to invite a partner for the Severalmaz project to produce diamonds at the Lomonosov deposit. 50% minus 1 share of the company might be bought by Rio Tinto at almost $ 400 million.
The region succeeded in increasing its investment attcrativeness
The Arkhangelsk Oblast is in the top 5 of the best Russian regions where the regional authorities in 2010 have been most active to improve investment attractiveness and eliminate administrative barriers for business.
A new Bishop appointed
Daniil, Bishop from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and the Kuriles, has been appointed the Eminent Bishop of Arkhangelsk and Kholmogory.
WEEK 52 (December 27-31)
Financial support to SMBs
On the basis of competition 33 local small and medium companies have received totally almost 2 million rubles in the form of subsidies to participate in exhibitions and fairs, and also about 790 thousand rubles for personnel training under the target program “Development of small and medium businesses in the Arkhangelsk region for 2009-2011”.
New emergency and rescue centers in the Arctic
There will be 10 centers established by the Ministry of Emergencies on the Arctic coast: in Arkhangelsk, Murmansk, Naryan-Mar, Salekhard, Dudinka, Tixi, Anadyr. They will keep control over oil and gas pipelines, thus ensuring safety of their operation. The centers are planned to be provided with special fire-fighting and rescue equipment to work in the Arctic conditions, as well as helicopters and specially-trained crews, since aviation is really essential here.
Situation in the construction sector is improving
More than 220 thousand square meters of living apartments were built in the Arkhangelsk Oblast last year – the situation in the region is gradually improving after the crisis of 2009. In 2011 there will be even more activity in the construction sector of the Oblast – up to 350 thousand square meters of living apartments are expected to be built. Also 47 social facilities are planned to be commissioned.
Sustainable economic development of the Oblast
Preliminary results of the regional economic development in 2010 have been published. According to them, Gross Regional Product (GRP) of the Arkhangelsk Oblast without Nenets Okrug in 2010 grew by 10.9%, thus GRP growth in the Oblast is approx. 2.5 times higher than the average Russian figure. In absolute figures GRP is estimated to be 240 billion rubles. Calculated per capita GRP will be more than 201 thousand rubles. Economic growth is expected to continue in 2011. Industrial production index in the Arkhangelsk Oblast without Nenets Okrug over 11 months of 2010 grew by 18%. Capital investments over 9 months of 2010 in the Arkhangelsk Oblast without Nenets Okrug grew by 4%.