The Arctic regions in the policy and economy of Arkhangelsk area

Distinguished professors, teachers, post graduates and students!

Today, Russia celebrates the Day of the Arctic for the first time, so the theme of my public lecture is predictable - "The Arctic in the policy and economy of the Arkhangelsk region." This is especially important that the Russian government has identified Arkhangelsk, like a main link in the scientific research, technological development in the introduction, in preparation of specialists for work in the Arctic.

I accepted the offer to lead the region with an understanding of the Arctic vector of modern politics. It was also interesting to learn about the history issue. Speaking briefly and figuratively about the Arctic - it is the eternal ice, harsh climate, the impossibility of economic use on an industrial scale. For a long time, this region is not a special interest to States. Another thing - is the population of these territories (including the Russian coast-dwellers), who lived here, went to the Arctic seas, discovered the island. We should proud that the Russian pomors first master the Spitsbergen and Novaya Zemlya.

As a shipbuilder, has noted the importance of the invention of coast-dwellers: the case of the vessel (koch) in the form of eggs, which proved to be the most secure in the ice compression. Koch may be our national contribution to the polar ship building!

Of course, this is not the only merit of the northerners. There is certain regularity: in difficult times for the country's rulers turned to the Russian North. When Ivan the Terrible was created the first international trading port of Russia - Arkhangelsk. As a result – the turnover of Archangels’ fairs reached 3 million rubles (at the beginning of the XVII century the entire stateendowment income amounted to 8 million rubles).

Peter the first founded the shipyard in Arkhangelsk State, began the construction of military and commercial ships. Military and civil shipbuilding is still the leading sector of the Arkhangelsk North.

But the solution of the problems in the Arctic was originally the work of the local authorities. The State level was present when it came to establishing rules for trade and taxation. The changes occurred when Russia began to actively explore the Far North (true, based on private projects, public funds were not enough).

The historical role played in this case - Arkhangelsk. From this city went away more than 300 expeditions (including expeditions of Chichagov, Pakhtusov, Sedov, Rusanov, and later - of Onega Captain - Alexander Kuchin).

Today we presented the results of the Arctic expeditions, which are held with the participation and support of the Federal University. Well, again, we first return to the Arctic, it is particularly pleasant.

The formation of the northern policy was continued in the early XX century. Interestingly, at this time in Archangel at the highest level were discussed large-scale Arctic projects, the implementation of which we have come just now (about two projects I will say later).

The Soviet period is rightly called "the century of the Arctic." The country and the region systematically mastered these areas. The Northern Fleet was formed, and this has ensured the safety of the state. In Arkhangelsk there were academic institutions that are involved in polar themes, created by the trawl fleet to operate in the Arctic seas, where was built the first scientific ship "Perseus."

XXI Century raised the new problems. This is primarily due to the large deposits. Moreover, the conflict of interests of Arctic states over natural wealth often takes the form of hard. In any case, increasing the military presence in this area, as noted in my last article, Vladimir Putin, has already begun. The government of the country today formed a clear position: leading role in the development of the Arctic should belong to Russia. In this case the Arkhangelsk region is given a special place.

The Arctic theme, as we all know that would entail the development of the region. This is very important to change the difficult situation in the region. Here are some key indicators. The index of the industrial production (without NAO) in 2011 was 90% compared to 2010. The main reason - is a cycle of shipbuilding enterprises, transfer to the 2012 surrender of some objects in the defense order. The problem has been solved. Orders we have provided for many years. Simultaneously, the region and the Federation of solving problems of infrastructure, roads, housing in Severodvinsk. Together with the NAO index of industrial production is even lower - 82% (cause -reducing oil production). GRP is estimated at 226 billion rubles, an increase of 6% (with the NAO -411 billion rubles, an increase of 1%). What is significant: the amount of work on the mind "construction" was 121%, entering residential (all sources of funding) of homes - 102%. But I must mention the poor quality, or simply the failure of some projects (veterans' homes, the FLC in the stadium "Trud", a school in Podyuge, Lomonosov gymnasium, etc.). In respect of the entire problem objects taken appropriate action, including staff.

Another serious problem - is the unavailability of houses: a square. Meter (excluding NAA) for the IV quarter of 2011 amounted to 40.9 thousand rubles - the primary market, 46.8 thousand rubles - in the secondary. Even though the average wage rose by 13% (22 735 rubles at the end of the year), the ability to purchase housing in the region's population - one of the lowest in Russia. Exit - is to reduce costs, build on standard projects, actively promote the social programs (housing for young families, state employees, interns, residents of rural residents).

This is important from the view that the region has recorded positive changes in fertility (albeit small). Here the important role played by the Russian government measures to modernize education. This project involved 54 institutions (800 pieces of equipment, 25 facilities repair, and construction of 7 FAPs). In 2012 for the area in the federal budget is scheduled for more than 3 billion rubles.

By the initiative of Vladimir Putin kicked off a project of modernization and education. The Arkhangelsk region from the federal budget in 2011 was 201 million rubles from the regional aims 316 million. Bottom line: at the end of the year the average salary of teachers was 23,415 rubles. In 2012 the amount of federal funds for the region - 652 million rubles. Part of the funds will be directed to carry out major repairs (first time).

In general I can say that the region has not passed the "point of no return" and kept the production, technical, transport, scientific and human potential. In other words, we have all the conditions to perform the tasks of the state in the Arctic. Chief among them are:

• 4-    Integrated transport network ( roads, transmissions lines, railways and water ways);

• -I-    Ports system (22 berths and 40 thousand square meters houses);

• 4-    Archangelsk oil terminals;

• 4-    Ice – class ships, ice breaks technical fleet for dredging, as well as specialized fleet (including research);

• -4-    Hydro base, the airport for the Arctic aviation, the special aircraft for ice reconnaissance;

• 4-    The North hydro meteorological service (network points throughout the Arctic).

In the separate list – is the Arctic science. And the first role should play the Northern Arctic Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov.

The development of the Arctic – is a very complicated, expensive and multi – layered task:

• -I-    will develop and implement new technologies of construction of various facilities and roads;

• -I-    to create modern communication systems and local energy;

• -I-    It is important to preserve the environment, take into account the interests of indigenous

people, to train specialists to develop the northern medicine.

Thus it is necessary to change the attitude to the northern cities of: depression of the centers they have become the future of the Arctic exploration sites. This idea should be the base for management decisions at the center and the region, especially in developing programs.

The region is working on these questions. In 2011 in the borders of FZP is taken to the region about 4, 9 mlrd of rubles. On the 2012 is planed to use 5, 2 mlrd of rubbles:

530 mln – for building the Universities library, 210 mln – for the dormitory of the NArFU;

679 mln – to Severodvinsk for the modernization of VPK;

82 mln – on the objects of the Solovki;

51 mln – on the reconstruction of the airport Talagi;

1 mlrd – for the trace М-8 (from Moscow and throw Yaroslavl and Vologda to Arkhangelsk). Thus it is necessary to change the attitude to the northern cities of: depression of the centers they have become the future of the Arctic exploration sites. This idea should be the base for the management decisions at the center and the region, especially in developing programs.

I would single out a sub programme on the development of the Arctic zone of the state program the "Regional policy and federal relations," 2020. The project is now being discussed routines. The regional government with the participation of scientists of the Federal University (in particular the staff of the Institute of management and regionologii) has made a number of significant proposals.)

We believe that the northern areas play a key role in the national economy and ensuring the security of Russia. It produces 90% gas, 3/4 of oil, 100% of the diamonds, more than 90% of copper and nickel, two thirds of gold. The North gives 50% of the forest and fishery products. The northern regions account for 20% of GDP and substantial foreign exchange earnings. But since the development of these areas in the XX century was carried out only at government expense, but now the population and economy were in some way hostage to a centralized policy (even wage supplements in the market conditions have lost economic sense!). So today it is important to ensure sustainable development of the northern economy, halt the decline in living standards and migration. The essence of our proposals:

4- Creating of the Arctic Union among the regions of Russia (this idea is just the beginning of the XX century, when discussed a proposal to consolidate the northern provinces to the center of Arkhangelsk);

4- The formation of the Master Plan of the Arkhangelsk region (portfolio of business projects);

4- The implementation of the project "Great  Archangelsk"  (Arkhangelsk,

Severodvinsk, Novodvinsk);

4- construction of the Mezen tidal power station

4- the implementation of transport infrastructure projects – is a new port, "Belkomur" (the construction of the railway connecting Siberia and ports to the Northern Arctic Ocean, which was also discussed at the beginning of XX century);

4- construction of strategic roads: Naryan-Mar - Mezen - Arkhangelsk, Arkhangelsk -Severodvinsk - Onega, Arkhangelsk - letnyaiya Zolotitsa;

4- revival of the Arctic aviation;

4- The development of the human capital, sciences and education.

In the case of these ideas Arkhangelsk region simply "destined" to develop and prosper!

Enhanced attention to the regional programs. In 2011 there were 54 funding - more than 11 billion rubles. This year – there are 59 programs, over 19 billion rubles. Note that all programs are now being analyzed. The course of execution in March - April will be discussed at a meeting of the regional government. The budget we have stressed, in the current situation it is necessary to give up all the excess, live within our means, and while strictly control the spending of budget funds.

At the end, there are 2 main conclusions.

The fate of Russia and Arkhangelsk region is directly linked with the fate of the Arctic. Ensure that all tasks in this region, we can only through the innovative development of our region, that is, along with NArFU, Severodvinsk cluster, developing the economy, tourism, including the Arctic, creating a modern infrastructure, shall use the human, intellectual and creative capital.

And in the end. I know that the Honorary Doctor of the University of Gennady Popov finished a book about the Arctic policy, of the Arkhangelsk governor for the past 300 years. My preRevolutionary and Soviet predecessors have consistently strengthened the Russian presence in the Arctic! It is no accident Archangel called the "gateway to the Arctic". We must work together with you to give this expression a new meaning. It's in our hands!

Reviewer – Fedorov Igor Gennadievich, the governor of the Nenets autonomous region.