Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation – Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev delivered a report at a meeting of the State Duma as part of the “government hour” dedicated to current issues of socio-economic and infrastructural development of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation.
"What has the Russian Government done to develop the Arctic zone? The basis was the work to attract investment. I will say again, I am sure that this is the right start, because without earning money, but only asking for it from the budget, we are unlikely to achieve any success. The largest special economic zone in the world has been created. In creating it, we relied on the experience of the Far East. The Arctic zone of the Russian Federation is better assembled than the preferential zones of the Far East. We already had experience, and what could be done better, what could be differentiated, for example, by the direction of investment, has already been done in the Arctic….
I would like to say right away that this is not enough for us. On the one hand, never before has money come to the Arctic in such a volume. On the other hand, regarding the plans that we must implement, it is not enough. In this regard, I would like to emphasize that two days ago we received letters from some ministries stating that they cannot provide these funds in their area of responsibility. We will not agree with these answers, and we will strive to ensure that the President's order is implemented in full. Especially since the insufficient funds for the Arctic were announced by the very departments that are the most complained about.
In conclusion, I would like to say that we understand very well that not everything has been done. A lot needs to be done for the Arctic to develop, for the Far East to develop. I am confident that together we will solve all the tasks set."