KHANTY-MANSIYSK, June 25. /TASS/. The population growth dynamics in Yugra's two districts will be positive due to their integration into the Russian Federation's Arctic Zone. The growth will be due to incentives that will attract new residents, the region's Acting Governor Ruslan Kuharuk told TASS on sidelines of an IT forum in Khanty-Mansiysk.
In January, the Russian government approved the incorporation into the country's Arctic Zone of two municipalities in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region (Yugra): Berezovsky and Beloyarsky. More than 51,000 people live there, and 26.4% of them are the North's low-numbered indigenous peoples.
"An essential measure is the support for individuals: the incentives using which people come, arrange their lives, build houses, join the local economy region - this will definitely develop into a positive population dynamics - those territories are quite long, but sparsely populated. "<...> With the incentives for municipalities in the Russian Arctic we will have a completely new look at many territories that are potentially interesting for development," the official said.
The inclusion of those districts into the Russian Arctic attracts businesses, including big ones, which will lead to the region's general development.
Districts' overview
The region's Department of Economic Development told TASS the new status would allow preserving and improving support for the residents in upgrade of life support systems, in the business potential, social development, and in preservation of the traditional ancestral habitat and way of life. The municipal districts have a potential to develop transport links in future: the construction of a highway Yekaterinburg - Urai - Sovetsky - Nyagan -Nadym and a bigger railway network Polunochnaya - Ob - Salekhard.
"The planned construction of a transport corridor along the eastern slope of the Urals Mountains, including the construction of the Polunochnaye - Ob - Salekhard railway line, will build up the transport system, will provide access to the Northern Sea Route to favor Russia's geopolitical interests in the Arctic region, and to involve Russian regions in the cargo traffic, and will also improve infrastructures and life in the Berezovsky and Beloyarsky Municipal Districts," reads a response to a TASS request.
The districts will be more attractive to investors and developers and will have additional jobs. In 2023, the Berezovsky District had 509 small and medium-sized businesses. Most companies work in wholesale and retail, transport, freight, and everyday services to the residents. There are 578 small and medium companies in the Beloyarsky District - mostly in trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, transportation and storage, accommodation, catering, and construction.
"The Berezovsky and Beloyarsky Municipal Districts have a high potential for development of hydrocarbons and solid minerals such as iron, manganese, chromium and copper ores, zinc, lead, quartz, as well as a natural potential: hunting, fish, forest resources, reserves of medicinal herbs, berries, mushrooms and other plant resources," the response to TASS reads.
The 15th International IT Forum, featuring BRICS and SCO countries, took place in Khanty-Mansiysk from June 18 to 20. TASS was the forum's general information partner.