Karelia is known today not only as a land of 60,000 lakes and unique architectural features, but also as a dynamic republic that develops successfully relying on its rich natural resources.
The government’s concept for the land’s socio-economic development covering the period to 2010 is aimed at developing the republic’s enormous natural, industrial, labour, and intellectual potential. Considerate attitude to the land’s history, including preservation and enrichment of its traditions, on the basis of the gains made in recent years, are the basic ingredients that will help revive the republic’s economy and improve its population’s living standards.
By improving tax collection and use of the republic’s timber resources, the government has succeeded in boosting its budget revenues from which pensions are now paid on time, salaries to civil servants have been raised, and child allowance arrears have been paid.
Financial revival of major enterprises in the timber industry has helped to reduce unemployment and win back positions it lost in the export market. Growth has been registered in key economic indicators, such as the gross regional product and industrial output.
Karelia is a socially calm and stable region, so favourable conditions are created for an influx of investments and mutually beneficial collaboration. All of the republic’s government ministries and departments are stepping up efforts to materialize this advantage. Relevant laws have been adopted and transport infrastructure has been improved.
Karelia’s links with its counterparts in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Murmansk, Arkhangelsk, Vologda and other areas help it to integrate into a large economic system.
Over the past four years, Karelia has moved up the socio-economic growth scale to 28th place from 56th among Russia’s total of 89 regions. Significant as it is, this is only a small step toward Karelia’s real recovery.
ADMINISTRATION OF HEAD OF THE REPUBLIC OF KARELIA.
19 Lenin Prospekt, Petrozavodsk 185028,
Republic of Karelia, Russia.
Tel.: (8142) 76-2477. Fax: (8142) 76-4148.
