Highlights of the Amur Region Week at the National Centre RUSSIA

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The Days of the Amur Region have wrapped up at the National Centre RUSSIA. The thematic week was held within the framework of the exposition "Region-2030. The Platform of the Future", and showcased the diversity of the region. Visitors had an opportunity to evaluate its cultural traditions, historical heritage and promising developments. The programme encompassed a demonstration of folk crafts, a tasting of gastronomic specialties, and a presentation of the scientific, industrial and educational potential of the region.

Vasily Orlov on the key directions of the region's development

Governor of the Amur region Vasily Orlov presented the comprehensive development of the region as part of the project "Platform of the Future: Region-2030. 100 steps" at the National Centre RUSSIA. His speech opened the Days of the Amur Region, which took place from 23 to 28 September. In his presentation, Vasily Orlov highlighted three key areas: space, gas-to-chemicals, and cooperation with China.

The Vostochny cosmodrome serves as the foundation for the development of space. According to the Governor, it produces a multiplier effect on the development of the city of Tsiolkovsky and the entire agglomeration, which also includes the city of Svobodny. Strategic facilities located nearby are: the cosmodrome, the Amur Gas Processing Plant and the Gas Chemical Complex. The agglomeration will allow for the comprehensive development of social and service infrastructure.

The gas and chemical cluster in the Amur region will become the second in the world in terms of total capacity. The Amur Gas Processing Plant will use gas to produce components for following processing at the Gas Chemical Complex, where they will be used to make polyethylene and polypropylene. The strategic product of the plant is helium, which is in demand in high-tech industries.

The unique border position determines the development of cooperation with China. The world's first cross-border cable car between Blagoveshchensk and Heihe is under construction. It is planned to build a five-star hotel in the city, open a year-round fair, and create a federal Centre for Russian-Chinese business cooperation.

Amur Governor on relations with China

Vasily Orlov, Governor of the Amur region, said that the region should become Russia's gateway to China. China remains the main Amur region's foreign economic partner, accounting for 50 to 80% of foreign trade turnover. In 2023, the region reached a record number of attracted investments — more than 950 billion rubles.

Cooperation with China has been developing in several directions. One of Russia's largest gas clusters is under construction in the city of Svobodny, while the Vostochny cosmodrome, smart farming, and unique industries such as the production of dietary supplements, also play a significant role. Special attention is being paid to tourism: the world's first cross-border cable car is being built between Blagoveshchensk and Chinese Heihe.

"We warmly welcome the visa-free regime that China has provided to Russian citizens," Orlov said. — Last year, about 150,000 foreign tourists came to us, mainly from China. But at the same time, more than 1.2 million Chinese tourists visited Heihe during the same period, and only 10% of them were able to get to us. This is a huge reserve," Vasily Orlov said in an interview to the press service of the National Centre RUSSIA.

To develop tourism in Blagoveshchensk, the first five-star hotel is being built, the airport is being modernized, new museums and cultural spaces are being constructed. The President's order to establish a federal Centre for Russian-Chinese business cooperation is also being implemented.

The Vostochny cosmodrome tour

On 23 September, several events were held as part of the region's theme day, including a prize draw where the main prizes were a tour to the Vostochny cosmodrome and a screening of the film "BAM: from Edge to Edge." Representatives of the Hospitality Agency spoke about the main features of Blagoveshchensk and the opportunities the tourism has in the region.

During the drawing, the main prize — a tour to the Vostochny cosmodrome — was taken by Anastasia, a visitor to the National Centre, who gave a right answer to a question about the number of successful launches from the cosmodrome. She will not only be able to visit the cosmodrome, but will also watch the launch scheduled for December. Other prizes, including products made by local manufacturers, were also given to the guests.

In addition, a screening of the film about BAM took place, after which the audience could play a themed board game. Among the guests were volunteer students of the "Arctic Team" Expeditionary Corps, who had previously provided the assistance in the Amur region, and are planning to come back to the region next year to participate in new projects.

Prospects for establishing an international Territory of Advanced Development in the Amur region

On 24 September, as part of the Amur Region Week, a strategic session was held on establishing an international territory of advanced development (ITAD). The law regarding the ITAD will enter into force on 1 January 2026.

"The mechanism was created to attract investors from China, India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East," Vitaly Altabayev, Deputy Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic, said.

Residents of the ITAD will be provided with a zero income tax rate for up to 10 years, lowered insurance premiums of 7.6%, and other benefits. In the Amur region, the Rovnoye site has already been chosen as a spot for the ITAD, and the necessary infrastructure is already being created there.

"Foreign investors have already shown great interest in the implementation of projects on the region's international Territory of Advanced Development," Irina Volkova, Director of the "Amurskaya" Corporation for the Development of the Far East, said.

At the Eastern Economic Forum in 2024, an agreement of intent was signed with the Chinese corporation Xuanyuan regarding the production of high-tech equipment on the ITAD.

"As the southern gateway of Russian-Chinese cooperation, the Amur region has unique geographical advantages, well-developed infrastructure, and a favorable investment climate," Liu Yunpeng, a representative of the corporation, said.

Agreements on the development in the field of culture

On 23 September, Governor Vasily Orlov signed agreements on the cultural development of the region. An agreement has been reached with the Sergei Bezrukov Foundation to hold the event "Echo of the Great Children's Festival" in April 2026. The programme will feature screenings of the best performances and films for children, as well as master classes by cultural figures.

An agreement was also signed with the Military Orchestra Service of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation on the development of wind music in the region. As part of the collaboration, musicians will conduct classes for pupils of regional music schools. This is a continuation of the military band festival "Vivat, Amur!", which has already been held for three years in the region, and which contributes to the young people's growing interest in wind music.

Ideas for development of tourism in the Amur region

On 24 September, experts from the "Elbrus" Club of the "Leaders of Russia" programme presented to the government of the Amur region suggestions regarding the development of tourism in the Amur region. The event was held at the National Centre RUSSIA.

During the case contest, three key areas were considered: the digitalization of road services, the development of tourism in the BAM area, and the development of the region's tourism brand as the country's main space harbor.

To digitalize the road infrastructure, integration with popular applications, the addition of audio guides and the creation of a separate application for car tourists are proposed. Speaking of the development of the BAM, the experts recommended attracting student expeditions, training Russian Railways employees in guide skills, and making railroad cars with panoramic views.

To position the region as a space harbor, collaborations with other space cities, the creation of interregional routes, participation in federal art festivals, as well as the installation of distance signs to the Vostochny cosmodrome in popular tourist destinations of the country are proposed.

Getting to know the culture of the Amur region

At the stand of the region, guests of the National Centre RUSSIA got acquainted with the achievements of the Amur region through interactive events that reveal the culture and traditions of the Amur land.

One of the key activities was the Amur Biryulki championship, a contest in an ancient game with a local flavor. The game set includes a ceramic pot with clay figurines of Amur region animals and Evenk household items. The participants who successfully completed the task of collecting figurines with the help of a special hook received a chalcedony stone from the region's Burgundy deposit as a gift. The guests also learned how to make souvenirs from soybeans, and took handmade magnets and keepsake paintings with them.

Renovation of Amur cities

The plans for renovation of the regional cities were presented at the National Centre RUSSIA. On behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin, master plans for renovation of four cities have been approved in the region: Blagoveshchensk, Belogorsk, Svobodny and Tynda, and such a plan is being developed for the Svobodny-Tsiolkovsky agglomeration. In total, about 40 events worth over 80 billion rubles are being implemented as part of the master plans.

A new registry office building has been built in Svobodny, construction of a school and design of a children's art school have begun, and gas distribution networks to supply the city with gas are being laid. To mark the anniversary of the BAM, a refurbished stadium, library and museum were opened in the city of Tynda, and public areas were landscaped. Construction of a water pipeline has been completed in the city of Belogorsk, an art school has been repaired, and a new gas boiler house has been put into operation. Governor Vasily Orlov noted that the implementation of master plans is already noticeably changing the appearance of cities, making them more modern and comfortable.