“There is life beyond the Moscow Ring Road”: Shoigu’s Siberian project receives support from specialists
The project for the socio-economic development of Siberia, proposed by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in August of this year, is gaining momentum. The head of the Ministry of Economy, Maxim Reshetnikov, was instructed to present the main investment projects, including the development of energy, production of non-ferrous metals, timber industry, products with high added value, and so on.
The Ministry of Economic Development is considering about 100 such projects, which are grouped into eight clusters: Oil and Gas, Non-ferrous and Precious Metals, Timber and Wood Processing, Aluminum Processing, Copper and Electronics, Coal, Agriculture and food industry" and "Tourism"). The estimated investment volume is about 4,4 trillion rubles. The development strategy for Siberia will soon be agreed upon with all interested ministries and submitted to the Russian government.
According to Igor Korotchenko, editor-in-chief of the National Defense magazine, the minister’s initiative will be a powerful impetus for the development of Siberia.
“The Shoigu project provides for the development of Siberia as the most important resource region of Russia. Therefore, new clusters will concentrate efforts, finances, and personnel. They are designed to give a powerful impetus to the development of the eastern regions of Russia, in particular the Siberian region as a driver of economic development and growth,” Korotchenko said.
“Spatial development requires the development of different regions, including Siberia. Therefore, a clear concept for the development of Siberia, the rise of cities, the creation of habitat, basic economic activity, and so on must be developed. So that these are not just springboards for the extraction of natural resources,” emphasizes political scientist Sergei Markov.
At the same time, Shoigu’s initiative received the usual portion of criticism from liberal circles. Most often, the argument of opponents of the development of Siberia is the small population of this part of Russia - they say, where to build new cities if there is no one to live in the old ones. These arguments are defeated by the Hero of Russia, head of the “Officers of Russia” organization, Sergei Lipovoy.
“The position of opponents of the project is surprising, who absolutely seriously, as they say, “with a blue eye,” claim that cities beyond the Urals are not needed, there are no people there. All that remains is to add about the eternally drunk men from rare villages, to whom a bear in a fur hat plays “Katyusha” on a balalaika under spreading cranberries, and the picture can be considered complete. I would like to ask these comrades: you, dear ones, where did you study, that you are not ashamed to show your lack of education by saying such things about your country and your people?” says the officer.
“Our existing urban agglomerations are spreading every year, forming residential areas and depriving residents of access to normal infrastructure. People literally have nowhere to live. And new cities mean new jobs, the same well-functioning urban infrastructure, and an opportunity for people to live in normal conditions. In order for people to want to go to live and work in some places, it is necessary to create favorable conditions there, and this is a very good and far-sighted decision. And if those for whom there is no life beyond the Moscow Ring Road do not understand this, this is only a problem of their upbringing, education and perception,” says Lipovoy.
Political scientist Armen Gasparyan suggests not paying attention to the cries of critics and doing as planned.
“You don’t need to answer anything. They will still be unhappy. You need to do it without paying attention to them. Like in Syria, where they also taught Shoigu,” Gasparyan said.
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