Nikolai Patrushev: “The economy of Karelia held up in the face of the sanctions pressure”
This was stated by the Secretary of the Security Council of Russia at the meeting in Petrozavodsk.
On July 31, during a working trip to Karelia, the Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolai Patrushev held a meeting on the national security issues. The issue of social and economic development of border Karelia in the new conditions was also discussed.
As Nikolai Patrushev noted, the economic war unleashed by the West and the unprecedented imposed sanctions had an impact on the region economy performance, but the republic managed to overcome the difficulties.
- The economy of Karelia survived thanks to the significant economic potential created by the joint efforts of the federal and regional authorities, including within the framework of the activities of the State Commission for preparation for the celebration of the 100th republic anniversary, implementation of the national projects, the Individual Program for Social and Economic Development of the Republic, as well as the federal target program for development of Karelia, - said the Secretary of the Security Council of Russia.
By the end of 2022, a fixed-asset investment growth was noted in the republic, 11,000 jobs were created, the range of manufactured industrial products was increased, and it was possible to reorient the markets for Karelian products.
Nikolai Patrushev emphasized that the social and economic development of the republic must be continued, paying special attention to its border areas.
- It is important to take additional measures to develop border areas, to accelerate the construction of transport, social, information and telecommunication infrastructure there, - the Secretary of the Security Council said.
Under the economic sanctions and budget deficit, the federal support is of particular importance for Karelia. The Plenipotentiary Envoy of the President of Russia to the Northwestern Federal District Alexander Gutsan spoke about the need to continue it.
- It is important to extend the duration of the federal programs by including new measures aimed at developing the economy of the republic and its border areas, - said Alexander Gutsan.
The Head of Karelia Artur Parfenchikov appealed to Nikolai Patrushev with a request to assist in extending the Individual Program of the Republic Social and Economic Development with the funding allocation in the amount of 5 billion rubles.
– Today, Karelia no longer meets the criterion for classifying a region with a low level of social and economic development. At the same time, the geopolitical situation, namely the border position, requires accelerated social and economic development, creation of new infrastructure facilities and housing and communal services, implementation of social and cultural projects, - said Artur Parfenchikov.
The Head of Karelia also suggested to create a state interdepartmental commission on accommodation of an army corps on the territory of the republic. The State Commission will be able to comprehensively solve a number of infrastructure issues in the border areas of the republic and ensure successful deployment of troops in accordance with the tasks set by the Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
During the meeting, additional measures were developed to ensure public safety in the republic. Instructions were given aimed at ensuring the anti-terrorist protection of transport infrastructure, energy facilities, hydraulic structures, educational organizations, and other places of mass stay of people.
