Khanty-Mansiysk is awaiting its guests for the Russia - European Union summit, from June 26 - 27 . The Governor of the Khanty-Mansiysk autonomous region, Alexander Filipenko, told a correspondent of The Moscow News in an exclusive interview about the significance of this big international event for the city - which some people call the energy heart of Russia because of its huge oil resources - and the city's preparations for the summit, and the daily burdens of the population of this hard and remote northern region.
MN: How would you describe the social and economic situation in the region?
Alexander Filipenko: The situation is favorable. Despite some drop in oil production during the last two years, we are successfully working for the social-economic development of the region.
If we compare our results and achievements with other Russian regions then I may say that Khanty-Mansiysk region is a leader among those with similar volumes of production and gross regional products.
Our region takes the top place in Russia as the biggest oil and energy producer. Our region has a population of 1.5 million people - approximately one percent of the population of Russia.
Khanty-Mansiysk generates about twenty percent of the income of the Russian budget. Our state receives more than one trillion rubles because of tax incomes from the region. This sum is likely to increase 1.5 times because of the customs duties to Russia's income.
MN: What kind of problems do the people of such an oil-rich region of Russia face now?
A. F.: We are dealing with urgent problems like the supply of housing. It grew twenty percent last year, which is a very good result.
We built almost 900,000 square meters of housing in 2007. We'll build 1,100,000 square meters this year.
We also have a shortage of schools now. We plan to create 140,000 places in the next four years.
Last year we reduced unemployment significantly. Today's level of unemployment in the Khanty-Mansiysk autonomous region is about one percent of the popu-lation. The wages of our population are rising. The average wage is 35,000 rubles per month in the Khanty-Mansiysk autonomous region (Ed.: about $1,500). Our region is in the top five Russian regions with the highest salary level.
Wage growth is about 17 percent per year.
The population of our region is very optimistic, which is confirmed in our demographic patterns. The birth rate is increasing. Our region is one of the leaders in Russia with the best demographic results. The death-rate is going down - meaning that the population of our region is increasing because of a greater number of births than deaths.
Khanty-Mansiysk autonomous region is very attractive for immigrants. However immigrants make up approximately 5 to 8 percent of the total growth of population of the region today.
MN: Does your region need more workers?
A. F.: Yes, it does. About 120,000 foreign and Russian citizens from other regions of the country arrive in our region every year. Most are seasonal workers.
MN: Who are the main investors in the region? Which foreign companies work there?
A. F.: Certainly, the main sphere of regional industry is fuel and energy related. The majority of the population works in oil production.
Our region receives most of its income from the activity of oil companies. 9 billion tons of oil have been produced in our region recently.
However we continue to develop not just the oil industry of our region.
The economy of Khanty-Mansiysk autonomous region received 370 billion rubles of investment in 2007. The majority of this is investments from Russian companies. Our region is the main region for the activities of companies like TNK-BP, Lukoil, etc.. As you know, foreign partners are the shareholders of these companies.
Nevertheless, today our main investors are from Russia. The investment market in the region is huge. And we invite all Russian and foreign companies to our region for joint cooperation. The volume of the investment market here is 377 billions rubles (that is more than 10 billion euros). We have close cooperation with Germany, Finland, and the Czech Republic.
We signed several agreements for 10 billion rubles in the recent St. Petersburg international economic forum. We will spend this money on the social development of our region, for building apartments.
In my opinion, at the moment we can increase the quantity of investments almost twice over in the territory of the Khanty-Mansiysk region.
MN: What is the significance of the Russia - EU summit for the inhabitants of your region? How are you preparing Khanty-Mansiysk city for this summit?
A. F.: The Russia - European Union summit in Khanty-Mansiysk will be the first big international political event for us. Certainly, we are proud that Khanty-Mansiysk is the host city of the Russia - EU summit! We have prepared for the summit and created the best conditions for the work and relaxation of our guests. We are waiting for them. I am sure the summit in Khanty-Mansiysk will be a remarkable event for the development of relations between Russia and Europe.
This summit has great significance for local residents of the region. We'd like many influential European politicians and businessmen to come and learn about our region in the North of Russia. I think that it will be very interesting for them to see the region. There will be many Russian and foreign journalists at the summit.
We are sure that we can create all necessary conditions for all those interested in cooperating with business in the region. We would be glad also to see tourists from European countries.
On the one hand, this summit is a serious test for us. On the other hand, this summit is a positive event, which gives a good opportunity for cooperation and development.
I thank the leadership of our country for such a decision.
MN: Who from the top Russian leadership will attend this summit?
A. F.: I cannot say exactly. But we are expecting Mr. Medvedev and Mr. Putin. Many leaders of the European states will attend as well. They will discuss a lot of important and urgent international issues. Besides this, after the Russia - EU summit we will open the congress of the Finno-Ugric peoples and the leaders of the Finno-Ugric states will arrive in Khanty-Mansiysk.
MN: What kinds of problems did you meet during the preparation of the summit?
A. F.: Our city is completely prepared for the arrival of senior officials and guests. We have only one problem now.
Our summers are very short and not so warm as would like and our winters are very long and bitterly cold. It is early June now, but summer has not yet come to our region.
I hope, that our guests will bring the real summer from Europe to the beginning of the Russia - EU summit!
MN: Do you have hobbies?
A. F.: Yes, I do. My hobbies are fishing and hunting. But my personnel problem is a lack of free time.
I have a big family, many children and grandchildren.
By Yuri Plutenko
