Governor of Murmansk Oblast, Yuri Yevdokimov, presented the figures last week in a meeting with Chairman of the Finnmark Councy Council, Norway, Runar Sjåstad. Governor Yevdokimov welcomed a delegation of politicians from Finnmark county in the Murmansk Oblast administration building. The governor presented the current status for the oblast and told about the bright future for the region, mainly due to the large development plans related to the Shtokman project.
The 43 billion dollar project will give the Oblast a 25 percent rise in annual budget revenues. This will have huge impact on the welfare of both Murmansk city and the surrounding areas. The production of gas from Shtokman will also provide gas to all apartments, office buildings and industrial plants in the area.
Yevdokimov stressed that he always has said that Norway will be an important partner in the development of the gas field. He is therefore glad that StatoilHydro now is included in the project.
Mr. Runar Sjåstad also emphasized the good relations between Finnmark and Murmansk, and pointed out that a high number of Russians have been working at Snøhvit LNG-plant in Finnmark. Now Sjåstad is looking forward to return this help in the development of Shtokman. He hopes that the large investments in the region will give synergy to local firms on both sides of the border.
But if the activity is to give synergy on both sides of the border, Sjåstad pointed out four important obstacles that he means have to improve first. The computer systems at the border must improve, the visa application process must be easier, the opening hours at the border must be extended and both countries has to figure out an arrangement so that it is possible to assign for jobs on both sides of the border.
