First Deputy Governor Natalya Portnaya headed the working group meeting, which was held in Murmansk on 29 December. It was the first since Murmansk was officially granted the port zone status in November last year. On the meeting agenda was a proposed progress plan elaborated by the federal Ministry of Economic Development, a press release from the regional administration reads.
At the same time, federal authorities establish a new Expert Council on port zone development, meant to help coordinate business plans and investment projects in the zones. The council is headed by federal Deputy Minister of Economic Development Oleg Savelyov.
The establishment of special port zones is intended to give significant tax and customs benefits and result in reduced administrative barriers to trade and business. In Murmansk, that is believed to give a boost to the development of the Murmansk Transport Hub and facilitate base-establishments as part of the Shtokman project
Read also: Murmansk signed deal on economic port zone
As previously reported by BarentsObserver, regional Governor Dmitry Dmitriyenko believes the establishment of a high-tech and internationally-oriented transport hub in Murmansk has the potential to change the whole system of logistics in the Russian North.
The Murmansk port zone covers a 30,5 square kilometer area located on the territory of Murmansk City and the Kola Rayon, the federal Ministry of Economic Development informs. At least four companies have expressed their readiness to invest a total of more than 150 billion RUB in the area. Among them is the Sintez Petroluem, which plans a new oil terminal in the area. In addition, a coal terminal is planned built and fish storage and processing facilities reconstructed.
The number of new jobs created as part of the projects is believed to exceed 1500. The zone will stretch over both sides of the Kola Bay.
Regional authorities in Murmansk have long worked for the establishment of the economic zone, believed to be of major importance for the development of upcoming industrial projects in the region. The status as economic zone includes favourable tax and customs conditions and less red tape.
