Arkhangelsk top news in January

WEEK 2 (January 11-16)

Municipalities acquire passports

Environmental e-passes have been developed for the municipalities in the Arkhangelsk Oblast. A pass is made in a form of web-page and interactive map for 19 municipalities of the Arkhangelsk Oblast and can be found here http://gis.dvinaland.ru/report_2009. Information is given for every municipality about its social and economic status, environmental situation and large users of natural resources. When developing the passes the main focus was on description and analysis of the sources of harmful impact.

Program for marketing investments to the Arkhangelsk Oblast

GVA Sawyer company has developed a program for marketing investments to the Arkhangelsk Oblast under the contract with the local Ministry of Economic development. An important task is to select prioritized sectors in the region for potential investments and to develop practical measures how to attract direct investments.

Relay of Northern festivals

International winter festival “Christmas Chime” in Arkhangelsk was the beginning of the regional project “Constellation of Northern Festivals”. Under the project 15 municipalities will pass the baton of festivals and celebrations from one to another during 2011.

Taboo to own

RF President Dmitry Medvedev has approved of a list of frontier areas where foreigners will not be allowed to own land. There are 380 territories on the list, among them there are also 7 municipalities form the Arkhangelsk Oblast.

Norwegian technologies for efficient employment in Arkhangelsk

First 10 graduates from the Sislab-Centre will get international certificates. The group has been trained for 3 months under the Russian-Norwegian project. The main objective of the project is to teach the unemployed how to search for job most efficiently, to improve their competence within economy and business activities based on the best European practices. The main outcome at the first stage of the project is interesting business-plans made by the trainees. Now each of them will have to start their own business. Cooperation under the project is expected to continue also in 2011-2012.

Mikhalchuk among “most problematic” governors in 2010

“Club of Regions” drawing results of the political year 2010 has identified 10 “most problematic” Governors involved in conflicts of political elites and regular social and political failures (based on the weekly ratings of the regions in 2010). The Governor of the Arkhangelsk Oblast Ilya Mikhalchuk is on the list.

Cargo turnover-2010 in the Arkhangelsk Port

JSC Arkhangelsk Commercial Sea Port in 2010 handled more than 1.7 million tons of different cargo, which is by 27% more than the last year figure. The types of cargo were the following: - cargo not related to marine transshipment – 67,7 thousand tons; - export – 574,6 thousand tons; - import – 523,9 thousand tons; - coastal shipping – 538,9 thousand tons.

Disputes around diamond deposit

Arkhangelskgeoldobycha in the nearest future is planning to start a new stage in developing diamond deposit named after Vladimir Grib – its opening. The company is going to use open-cut mining, although preliminary at the public hearings another way of mining was discussed – the closed one, which is more environmentally friendly, since the deposit is located in the Soyany natural reserve which is unique from the point of view of diversity and preservation of ancient flora and fauna. Inhabitants from the Mezen village Soyany are strongly against the open-cut mining of the diamond deposit and they have applied to the authorities with the protest.

Real estate prices go up in Arkhangelsk

In 2010 prices on the pre-owned real estate market in Arkhangelsk grew up by 14.6%. A square meter costs now nearly 43.5 thousand rubles. This year apartments may become by 8-10% more expensive.

2011: a year of Pomor culture

2011 is declared a year of the Pomor culture. 40 arrangements are expected to be held to develop cultural and historical heritage, to support people doing traditional industries and activities on the White Sea coast, to promote the Pomor culture outside the region. All the activities are planned not only for this year, but are a part of long-term strategy to develop the Pomor culture.

WEEK 3 (January 17-23)

Federal money for technical modernization of Zvyozdochka

Zvyozdochka (in Severodvinsk) will receive money from the federal budget for implementation of investment projects related to construction, reconstruction and technical re-equipment of capital facilities. 387 million rubles will be transferred in 2011, in the years 2012 and 2013 - 433 and 263.15 million rubles correspondingly.

Northern universities develop and strengthen their cooperation

Delegation from N(Ar)FU took part in the international conference “Perspectives for cooperation between Russia and Norway” (Nordland University, Bodø, Norway) which was devoted to the20th anniversary of cross-border programs between Bodø and Russian universities. During the visit Elena Kudryashova was the first among the Russian rectors who signed Memorandum of Intentions to establish a Norwegian-Russian Research and Educational Consortium for international developments in the energy sector.

Crystal sound of the bells

The only one in Russia 7th bell chime festival “Crystal Bells” tool place in Kargopol from January 17 to 19. A lot of activities were arranged during the festival: concerts, exhibitions, lectures, master-classes, excursions, as well as an ice-sculpture contest.

Investment portal of the Oblast now readable for foreign investors

English version of the Investment Internet portal of the Arkhangelsk region is being launched by the Ministry of Economic Development of the Arkhangelsk region (www.dvinainvest.ru).

Production and technological cluster in N(Ar)FU

Project “Production and technological cluster of N(Ar)FU” has been presented in the University. The basis for the cluster is technological equipment, control and measuring instruments, and relevant software. Under the project there will be established Automated systems center for shipbuilding purposes, and also a specialized Centre to be a training and production platform in the Oil and gas institute.

Crystalware production will be closed down at Sevmash

Sevmash will close down its production of crystalware. This activity has been performed for almost 30 years at the shipyard and used to be the matter of special proud for the city of Severodvinsk. It is believed that the cutback in production is to be made under the reformation initiative from the United Shipbuilding Corporation. According to it the Russian shipyards are supposed to get rid of the non-core assets.

Cooperation between regional libraries in the North

Arkhangelsk regional Library named after N.A.Dobrolyubov represented Russia at the 10th international conference of regional libraries from the Northern European countries. The name of the conference is “Interrelation between regional libraries”, it took place in Tromsø on January 24-26. Heads and specialists from national and regional libraries of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland took part in the conference, as well as library project managers and operators of internet portals. The staff of the Arkhangelsk regional library have great experience in international cooperation with their colleagues from Northern Europe.

 WEEK 4 (January 24-30)

Arkhangelsk Oblast at “Arctic Frontiers-2011”

A representative delegation from the Arkhangelsk region headed by the Governor Ilya Mikhalchuk took part in the international conference “Arctic frontiers – 2011” in Tromsø, Norway. In his speech at the conference Mr. Mikhalchuk claimed that the Arkhangelsk Oblast should be a base for offshore operations and a place where the headquarters of the Northern Sea Route will be located.

Tromsø and Arkhangelsk have signed Memorandum for cooperation

On January 22 Mayor of Arkhangelsk Viktor Pavlenko and Mayor of Tromsø Arild Hausberg signed a Memorandum for cooperation between the cities. Arkhangelsk and Tromsø will assist in the establishment and development of cross-border cooperation with the focus on partnership relations within economy, culture, science, health care, education, sports, and tourism, as well as within exchange programs for youth delegations. In case of successful implementation of the tasks the parties will conclude a twin-city agreement.

From Lomonosov to Nansen: international dimensions of science

International seminar “From Lomonosov to Nansen: international dimensions of science” was arranged in Tromsø. Further development of cross-border cooperation within research and education was discussed at the seminar. The seminar was devoted to the 300th jubilee of M.V. Lomonosov and the Year of Nansen-Amundsen in Norway. In the end of the seminar three relevant exhibitions were opened.

AKER Solutions and Zvyozdochka: together to the Arctic

Specialists from AKER Solutions and Ship-building Centre Zvyozdochka had another regular meeting in Arkhangelsk. They discussed preparations by the Severodvinsk shipyard to start projects for manufacturing of subsea equipment. The parties agreed on the joint action plant to transfer technologies to the Russian partner, which includes renovation of production facilities, personnel training, a series of practical trainings for Russian specialists at the Norwegian yards, etc. Cooperation with the Norwegian partner is the key factor for technological development and modernization of Zvyozdochka to start producing civil products for Arctic developments, and first of all, for the Shtokman field.

Documentary about Pomors

A documentary about Pomors tentatively entitled “The Pomors. The first in the Arctic” will start to be shot in the Arkhangelsk Oblast in March 2011 with the support from the RF Ministry of Culture. The National cultural autonomy of the Pomors in the Arkhangelsk Oblast is searching for people whose way of life is still the closest to the culture and traditions of their ancestors. The film crew will go to fishing farms is remote villages in the Pomorsky and Mezensky districts, as well as in other districts of the Oblast.

Zvyozdochka and N(Ar)FU: strategic partnership

Ship-repairing Centre Zvyozdochka will soon became an important partner for N(Ar)FU to firstly try to solve its strategic task of strengthening relations between industry and science, and secondly, to provide itself with sufficient amount of qualified personnel.

Responsible journalism: a report about social diversity

International seminar “Responsible journalism: a report about social diversity” was arranged in the Arkhangelsk. Organizers of the seminar are representatives from the Russian and Norwegian Unions of Journalists with participation of the International Federation of Journalists. Their main objective is to help journalists to understand the main principles of responsible journalism: tolerance, unacceptability of discrimination, impartiality, transparency, independence. The participants of the seminar were personnel from the local mass media, representatives from public and human rights organizations.

Famous steamer “N.V.Gogol” will be 100 years in 2011

Repair of the famous paddlewheel steamer “N.V.Gogol” was discussed among other things at the meeting of the Arkhangelsk Oblast Minister of transport and communication with the Director General of JSC Zvyozdochka. The steamer will be 100 years old in 2011. The repair will cost 40 million roubles, which will mostly be spent for interior refurbishment. Celebrations of the jubilee will be arranged from May 25 to June 2, 2011.

Exercises of “Friendship”

A workshop for dance teachers and leaders of choreographic ensembles with participation of colleagues and young dancers from Norway was arranged in Arkhangelsk from January 31 to February 2. The workshop is supported by the Norwegian Barents Secretariat. About 40 teachers from the regional districts who teach classical and modern dances to children participate in the workshop. Russian and Norwegian experts show master-classes in choreography and demonstrate methodological innovations in teaching classical and modern dances.

Indian project at Sevmash: positive dynamics

Coordination Council had a meeting at Sevmash with participation of JSC United Shipbuilding Corporation. A topic for discussion was progress of work at the aircraft cruiser of the Indian Navy «Vikramaditja». At present the operations have almost been finished inside the cruiser, but still one of the most urgent issues is related to inner electrical installations and wiring works. Mooring trials of the vessel are expected to start in several months. Both the Russian and Indian parties pay a lot of attention to this international project and note positive dynamics in the progress of work over the last seven months.

Governor Mikhalchuk: on-line dialogue

On-line TV program “Talk with the Governor” with the Head of the Oblast Ilya Mikhalchuk was broadcast on the regional TV. More than 700 questions had been received from the inhabitants of the Arkhangelsk Oblast. During 50 minutes the Governor managed to answer 21 of them. Most of the questions were related to tariffs and payments for housing and communal services, as well to other socially important issues.