Mikhail Mishustin: “Systemic support measures have been incorporated into two specialised national projects – Effective Transport System and Infrastructure for Life. For this purpose alone, over 9 trillion roubles in budget funds have been allocated.”
Mikhail Mishustin holds strategic session on advanced development of transport infrastructure
Mikhail Mishustin’s opening remarks:
Colleagues, good afternoon
During this strategic session, we will examine in detail the expansion of capabilities in key segments of the transport sector.
Today, as a result of sanctions restrictions, we are restructuring major freight routes. We are expanding the North–South corridor to enhance access to promising sales markets and developing accompanying infrastructure, including port facilities in the Azov-Black Sea and Eastern directions.
The throughput capacity of the Baikal-Amur Mainline (BAM) and the Trans-Siberian Railway has been increased to 180 million tonnes, fulfilling the task set by the head of state.
Trade turnover with friendly nations – Asia, Africa, and Latin America – has also grown. Over the past four years, it has risen by nearly 50 percent.
We are paying serious attention to the Northern Sea Route, currently the primary corridor for delivering goods to remote Arctic territories. At the same time, we are expanding our icebreaker fleet, essential for year-round navigation, as well as its maintenance base.
To improve regional connectivity, we are developing road networks and establishing high-speed routes, such as the Rossiya highway, which includes the M-11 Neva and M-12 Vostok motorways.
Additionally, on the President’s initiative, we have commenced the implementation of a high-speed railway project between Moscow and St Petersburg. This, I remind you, spans nearly 680 kilometres.
This is particularly important as domestic travel, including tourism, increases. Citizens are travelling more frequently to other Russian regions – by car, by train. We are also expanding air transport capabilities, actively renovating airport and aerodrome networks and constructing new facilities.
Since the beginning of this year, four new terminals have been commissioned – in Novokuznetsk, Tyumen, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, and Mineralnye Vody. These airports are already handling flights. In total, under the President’s instruction, no fewer than 75 aerodrome complexes will be built by 2030. Recently, during the Council on Strategic Development and National Projects, this issue was discussed in detail, and a set of necessary solutions was identified.
The transport system must be organised so that people can reach their destinations comfortably, safely, and quickly – without transfers, choosing the most convenient mode of travel.
Upgrading and increasing transport capacity is the foundation for the development of industry, agriculture, and tourism – indeed, the economy as a whole.
This complex and large-scale work must continue at an accelerated pace across all designated areas.
The President has emphasised that infrastructure must anticipate the demands of tomorrow, unlock opportunities for business initiatives, and shape new cargo flows. Consequently, we must more actively adopt modern technologies and innovations.
We must do everything necessary to eliminate regulatory constraints and reduce business logistics costs – while maintaining a balance between economic objectives, enterprise needs, and the transport sector’s potential.
Systemic support measures have been incorporated into two specialised national projects – Effective Transport System and ‘Infrastructure for Life’. As you know, these were developed on the President’s instructions and have been implemented since the beginning of this year. For this purpose alone, over 9 trillion roubles in budget funds have been allocated.
The Head of State has underscored the importance of promptly establishing a sector-specific regulatory framework for national projects. Clear operational parameters for all participants – regions, municipalities, contractors, and local implementers – are essential. The pace and quality of national project execution depend on how these issues are addressed.
A number of strategic documents have also been adopted, including a six-year road construction plan, the Shipbuilding Industry Strategy, and the Spatial Development Strategy of the country.
For the accelerated development of transport infrastructure, coordination and clear alignment of all measures are especially crucial.
Colleagues, today we will discuss in detail all opportunities and risks, as well as the effectiveness of existing implementation tools and mechanisms, to achieve the objectives set by the President in the coming years.
