MURMANSK, March 27. /TASS/. The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) considers a number of projects for rare earth metals in the Arctic zone, head of the RDIF Kirill Dmitriev told reporters on the sidelines of the International Arctic Forum.

"We will invest, including in rare earth projects in the Arctic zone, including in the Murmansk region. We are now analyzing several key projects on rare earth metals in the Murmansk region," he said.

Dmitriev recalled that Russia is in fourth place in the reserves of rare-earth metals and this is an extremely interesting area for development.

"In particular the RDIF will invest, and we will also develop this industry of rare-earth metals with various partners," he said.

The 6th International Arctic Forum, titled Arctic - Territory of Dialogue, is being held for the first time in the Murmansk Region on March 26-27. This Forum has become a key platform for discussing critical issues related to the socio-economic development of Arctic territories and for developing multilevel, multilateral mechanisms for the joint exploration and effective utilization of the region's substantial resource potential. One of the main focuses of the forum is the development of the Northern Sea Route, in celebration of the route’s 500th anniversary.

TASS serves as the Forum’s information partner.