Socio-economic development of the Central macroregion discussed at the RUSSIA EXPO

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The plenary session "Space of the Future: Central Macroregion" took place at the International RUSSIA EXPO.

The session was attended by the Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities of the Russian Federation Irek Faizullin, along with representatives from other executive bodies and regions of Central Russia, including the Kostroma, Tula, Orel, Smolensk and Kaluga regions. During the plenary session, discussions were held on the socio-economic development of the Central macroregion up to 2030, taking into account the main provisions of the new "May Decree" by the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin. Participants also reviewed the main vectors for unlocking the potential of the macroregion.

On behalf of the Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Ivan Kulikov, the participants of the plenary session were welcomed by the Deputy Director of the Department of Regional Industrial Policy of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia, Sergei Kalugin. He also spoke about the priorities of investment policy and the measures to support industrial enterprises in the macroregion through the department.

"An essential component of the investment potential of the macroregion is the high level of development of industrial infrastructure, which is critically necessary for the production of import-substituting products, ensuring technological sovereignty and creating new jobs. The Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia is actively working to support industrial enterprises in the Central Federal District. In 2023, around 170 billion rubles were allocated from the federal budget to support the region's enterprises," said Sergei Kalugin, adding that the Central macroregion is one of the most industrially well-equipped areas.

It hosts 146 industrial parks and 47 industrial technoparks, with organizations actively participating in interregional industrial cooperation and being part of 44 industrial clusters.

Additionally, enterprises in the Central District regions actively utilize industrial mortgages. The Central Federal District holds leading positions in terms of the number of borrowers and the loan portfolio, with over 260 borrowers receiving about 36 billion rubles in loan funds.

Session participants also highlighted key investment priorities in transport infrastructure, manufacturing, the agro-industrial complex and the scientific and educational complex using examples from their regions.