Komarova to Restructure Yugra Based on Presidential Administration Recommendations

Regional governor Natalia Komarova has begun implementing “The 20-30 Strategy”.  Diversification of economy and transformation of “one-company towns” are on the agenda. According to experts, today the autonomous district has to rely on segments that may be boosted by the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District’s own resources.

In addition to hydrocarbons production – the region’s “staple”, experts speak of other perspectives for development, such as oil and gas processing, forest industry, and industrial agriculture. However despite all positive trends in the forest industry, the industry experts say that it will never reach the oil production level. The District authorities believe that in addition to the region’s economy diversification, Yugra has to develop extensively  its fuel and energy complex.

It is suggested that the region should make a bid for mineral resources processing. However, analysts are concerned this sector’s development may prove hazardous for the environment. At the same time, Komarova stressed that redesigning the economy structure would be possible only if tight oil fields were developed.

“The Strategy 20-30” envisages diversification of Yugra’s economy, and the plan it provides offers cluster development. It’s focused on six sectors: oil and gas production, oil and gas processing, forest industry, mining industry, industrial agriculture, science, tourism, and medicine.

According to federal experts, today the Autonomous District has to make a bid for sectors that can be boosted using the region’s own resources. “Clearly, the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous District should develop its processing industries. First of all, it is oil and gas processing as well as chemical utilization of oil and gas. Also, it is possible to develop processing of other mineral resources available in Yugra".

Copyright, Ural Federal District Pravda, 2014