Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has arrived to Chukotka peninsula today. He was met by the region's current head Roman Kopin and former Governor Roman Abramovich, who is set become speaker of the local parliament
News sources say the first thing Medvedev inspected in Chukotka was the Anadyr airport. The airport, as well as the entire city, underwent massive renovation under Abramovich. From Anadyr, the President took a helicopter to Kanchalan settlement, 70 km. away from the capital. Kanchalan is one of the settlements that was reconstructed as part of regional indigenous village development program - about 700 locals now live in new cottages and apartment blocks. Medvedev visited one of the houses to meet the family living there, and then went to a nearby food store, local hospital and a school.
On their way back to Anadyr, Gov. Kopin presented Mr. Medvedev his report on the situation in Chukotka, mentioning the strategy for the region's future development. According to Kopin, the strategy includes an increase of Chukotka's GDP by almost 400 % by 2020, development of industries such as gold, silver and copper procurement. The region is estimated to produce 30 tons of gold and 250 tons silver per year in 12 years, Kopin said. Another important industry to develop should be coal, oil and gas procurement in Anadyr area. By 2020, about 500,000 tons of oil and 70 mn, cubic meters of gas per year can be developed. In order to meet these goals, a vast governmental investment is necessary (over 5,3 bn. dollars), of which 80 % will be spent on new roads. The governor complained regional income from taxes was not enough for Chukotka and said the region needed help from the federal center to help the 17,000 indigenous people living there.
Mr. Medvedev agreed with the latter, adding that Chukotka can play important role in Russia's research and development of the Arctic. Thus, the President said, it is important to develop the region's ports and their infrastructure and said the government would work on the issue.
Another important issue discussed in Anadyr was the 2025 Development Strategy for Far East and Transbaikalia. Medvedev criticized the Cabinet for being slow in drafting the program and promised he would hold a number of meetings with officials on various parts of the Far-Eastern region and instruct the government to take real steps to speed up the development of the area. The President also added that Cabinet ministers and other officials should travel to the Far East more frequently.
Alexander Popov
Photo: AP
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