The draft federal targeted programme Socioeconomic Development of the Kuril Islands, 2016-2025.
Excerpts from Dmitry Medvedev’s opening remarks:
Government Meeting
Today, a draft federal targeted programme for the Kuril Islands for the period 2016-2025 is under review. The Kuril Islands are a place unlike any other, not only because of the well-known political problems, but primarily due to their geographical and natural features and enormous economic potential. The goal of the new programme is to improve living conditions on the islands, get Russians interested in relocating to that region, keep those who already live there, provide them with employment, and develop the necessary social infrastructure, such as kindergartens, schools, and medical institutions. The total funding for the programme will amount to nearly 70 billion roubles over 10 years, of which about 28 billion roubles will come from the federal budget.
What areas of work does this programme cover?
First, we need to ensure uninterrupted passenger and cargo traffic between Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands, Kamchatka and the mainland. Given the heavy dependence of air and sea transport on weather, this is our priority. To do so, we will need to update the fleet of helicopters and seagoing vessels, and renovate several port facilities and roads.
Second, we will need to create proper conditions for efficient use of the Kuril Islands’ natural resources. Primarily, this involves mining enterprises, agriculture, and tourism.
Third, the construction of housing and improving the quality of housing and utility services and communications.
We should also focus on creating a modern warning and protection systems to deal with natural disasters and emergencies.
Government Meeting
Fourth and final, educational and medical services must be made available and affordable. In this regard, the Kuril Islands are lagging behind not only the national average, but the Sakhalin Region as well. The new federal programme is called upon to improve this situation.
The Kuril Islands should be included in the organisational work designed to ensure their accelerated development, which we have been doing throughout the region. We can consider creating priority development areas on the Kuril Islands. This task is included in the new federal targeted programme. The infrastructure that is being built on the Kuril Islands may well serve as a basis for this in the future.
