Russian President Vladimir Putin has directed his government to establish at least ten industrial and technology parks across East Asia and the Arctic region by the end of the decade, according to a Kremlin statement issued on November 4.

In a set of instructions, Putin called on the Russian government to facilitate the development of technology, industrial, and business parks in the Far Eastern Federal District and Arctic land territories by 2030. These facilities are expected to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in national technological priorities and related supply chains.

“The Russian government: ... taking into account previously issued instructions, ensure the creation by 2030 in the Far Eastern Federal District and the land territories of the Arctic zone of Russia of at least 10 industrial parks, technology parks and business parks to accommodate small and medium-sized businesses carrying out production activities in the areas of national technological priorities, as well as companies included in their cooperation chains," Putin's instructions read.

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Far East financial hub based on Eastern Exchange

President Putin also instructed the government to work in coordination with the Bank of Russia to propose the development of a financial center in the Far East, anchored around the V.V. Nikolaev Eastern Exchange Joint-Stock Company.

"The Russian government, together with the Bank of Russia, shall prepare and submit proposals for the development of a financial center in the Far East based on the V.V. Nikolaev Eastern Exchange Joint-Stock Company, including consideration of issues related to establishing regulatory features for the functioning of this center in order to ensure favorable conditions for attracting financial resources and placing shares of Russian companies," the Kremlin said.

Logistics centers on DPRK, China border

Putin emphasized the importance of strengthening regional transport infrastructure, ordering the establishment of multimodal transport and logistics centers in the Far Eastern Federal District, particularly near the borders with the DPRK and China.

"The Russian government ... is instructed to take measures to ensure the development of multimodal transport and logistics centers in the Far Eastern Federal District and to improve the efficiency of their operations," the Kremlin's statement wrote.

Key locations include the Nizhneleninskoye–Tongjiang and Blagoveshchensk–Heihe railway bridge crossings. The Kremlin also noted the importance of completing the bridge across the Tumannaya River toward the DPRK, aiming for it to become operational by 2026. Putin also stressed the need to bring access roads to standard at the under-construction crossing.

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Rare Earth mining development plan due by December

In a further push for technological self-reliance, Putin instructed the government to finalize a roadmap for the long-term development of rare and rare-earth metal extraction and production.

"Taking into account the previously issued instructions, approve an action plan ('roadmap') for the long-term development of the extraction and production of rare and rare earth metals," the Kremlin said.

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