Press Release, 31.03.2021

Photo by GrinPhoto/depositphotos

The Russian government has made changes to the Spatial Development Strategy of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2025. Now Karelia has the status of a region with special opportunities for the development of certain sectors of the economy. Since 2019, the Yabloko faction in the Legislative Assembly of Karelia has consistently sought amendments to the Strategy from the regional and federal authorities, taking into account the potential of the Republic of Karelia and the requirements of the time.

The version of the strategy adopted in February 2019 assigned to Karelia the role of a domestic raw material colony with an outdated structure of the economy.

“We are glad that we managed to achieve this despite the counteraction of the parliament [of Karelia]. Now the structure of the economy of Karelia in Russia’s strategic documents will correspond to the requirements of the time and the potential of the Republic, which will make it possible for Karelia to get included into the relevant programmes and receive funding. The modern economy both in Karelia and in the country is possible only with Yabloko! ” Emilia Slabunova, deputy of the parliament of Karelia and member of the Federal Political Committee of Yabloko, said.

Five new sector of eonomy have been added to those previously included into the list, namely: production of  vehicles and equipment; food production; transportation and storage; activities in the field of information and communication; and professional, scientific and technological activities.

The sectors included into the list will receive additional funding from the budget.

In June 2019, Emilia Slabunova introduced changes to the development strategy of the Republic of Karelia for consideration by the parliament of Karelia, however, the profile committee of the Karelian parliament refused to change the development strategy of the region “out of respect for the government of the Republic”, then the Karelian parliament spoke out against Sabunova’s proposals to improve the development strategy of the Republic, and the deputies of the Yabloko faction sent an appeal to the government on their behalf. After the insistent demands of Emilia Slabunova and other deputies of the Yabloko faction, the government of Karelia began working with the federal government to introduce the necessary changes into the Strategy for the Spatial Development of Russia until 2025.