The region, which prepares to become a thriving center for Russian Arctic developments, is unable to spur sustainable economic growth. In 2011, industrial production declined and consumer growth stagnated, the latest Barents Monitoring report confirms.
The region, which promises to become a power house for Russian Arctic developments, struggles to overcome the consequences of the financial crisis. The region experiences low growth and does worse than the Russian average on a number of key parameters.
While oil production dropped, the electricity generating industry and the construction industry did well in the first nine months of 2010, a new Barents Monitoring report for the Nenets Autonomous Okrug reads.
Several of the key industries in the Komi Republic have in 2010 experienced negative growth. The region has still managed to cut unemployment and uphold salary levels, the latest Barents Monitoring report reads.
A new comparative survey shows that the economy in the Russian part of the Barents Region shows clear signs of recovery. The mining and construction industries are the two main growth sectors in the region.
The economy of Arkhangelsk Oblast is gradually reviving after more than a year of serious crisis. However, the positive trend is partly nurtured by developments in the neighboring Nenets Autonomous Okrug.
The Komi Republic in 2009 experienced decline on most economic parameters. However, industrial production still did better than in practically all other Northwest regions, and the last months of the year showed several positive trends, the 2009 Barents Monitoring reports reads.
The level of foreign investments was practically the only positive trend in the economy of Murmansk Oblast last year, the Barents Monitoring 2009 report reads.
Despite positive trends in industrial production, the serious economic setback in Arkhangelsk Oblast is now increasingly felt by the regional population. That could eventually results in growing popular discontent and social tensions, the latest Barents Monitoring report reads.
Facebook has signed a five-year agreement with the energy producer Vattenfall AB on renewable electricity for its computer center in Luleå in Northern Sweden.
Norway’s parliament Stortinget on Friday voted overwhelmingly to conscript women into its armed forces. The country becomes the first European and first NATO member to make military service compulsory for both genders.
Russia is planning two test launches of the Bulava ballistic missile this year. The tests will be conducted by the country’s two newest nuclear-powered submarines.
Mayor of Sør-Varanger Cecilie Hansen’s proposal to file charges against major polluter Norilsk Nickel was turned down by her own municipal council yesterday.
KIRKENES: Russia’s metal-giant in Nikel is notoriously violating the maximum allowed limits for air quality on the Norwegian side of the border. Sør-Varanger Mayor Cecilie Hansen says enough is enough and files charges.
After half a year with financial difficulties for Northland Resources, their situation is solved in a € 240 million rescue plan. Last week machine operator Jörgen Norman and his colleagues could finally start up their giant diggers in northern Sweden again.
HAPARANDA: Despite hailing from four countries the young business owners voiced a single opinion during the Barents Reunion: The North is rich with opportunity but needs to think globally to support fledgling businesses, say Young Barents Entrepreneurs
Norway’s first ice-classed research vessel will be named after the country’s Crown Prince Haakon. The name was chosen through a contest on public radio.
China plans to establish a China-Nordic Arctic Research Center in Shanghai in partnership with a number of research institutes in the Nordic countries.
ARKHANGELSK: Employees from the National Park «Russian Arctic» found an unusual and interesting way of using rusty fuel barrels brought from the Arctic islands.
More than 80 years she sank off the northern coast of Canada, a ship designed and sailed by Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen will start its journey home next year.
STORSKOG: Dmitri Medvedev and Jens Stoltenberg concluded the Barents Summit with a relaxed walk over the joint Norwegian, Russian border after getting their own visa-free ID-cards.
KIRKENES. The Russian prime minister wants to see new joint projects within the field of industry and transportation and proposes the introduction of Barents regional visa-free traveling.
Indigenous Peoples activist Dmitry Berezhkov is a free man after a court decision in Northern Norway on Saturday says the conditions for extradition to Russia is not present.
Aleksandr Serebryanikov, better known as Blogger 51, faces charges of extremism according to sources within the power structures in Murmansk Wednesday evening.