The Forum of Industrial-Park Projects ‘InPark-2014’ Was Held in Novosibirsk
Russian and foreign experts got together at the Novosibirsk Expo Centre International Exhibition Complex to discuss the future developments of industrial-park projects. The plenary session featured speeches from the Governor of the Novosibirsk Region Vladimir Gorodetsky and the Mayor of Novosibirsk Anatoly Lokot, who told the participants of the Forum about the most promising projects of the region. The orators believe that the list of such projects includes the Industrial and Logistic Park, Biotechnopark Koltsovo, and Medtechnopark.
Director for Certification at the Association of Industrial Parks Maksim Pazdnikov spoke about the industrial park of Russia, the current state of this sphere on the whole, and the tools of state support used in the sphere being discussed. He noted that Russia is currently at the starting stage of developing industrial-park projects. The first project emerged in Russia only 8 years ago. Please compare: Western countries and the USA started developing this sphere 100 years ago, Japan – 50 years ago, China – 40 years ago, Turkey and India – 30 years ago. According to Mr. Pazdnikov, there are currently 45 operating parks at the territory of the Russian Federation, the largest of which, the ILP (The Industrial and Logistic Park), is located in Novosibirsk. However, if we compare this park to Chinese standards, this park will be the smallest of all the park projects operating in the PRC. Maksim Pazdnikov also said that 56 more parks are currently being constructed in Russia. Average cost of such a project equals 15.2 million rubles per 1 hectare.
President of LLC ‘Neocon Expert Consulting Company’, economist, and publicist Mikhail Khazin presented his economic forecast and told the Forum participants about the peculiarities of the economic crisis in Russia and the world. Mr. Khazin believes that building industrial facilities in Russia can be one of the ways to overcome the difficult economic situation.
In addition to that, the independent expert in Japan and the Asian-Pacific Countries Ivao Ohasi presented his concept of developing the Eastern territories of Russia and spoke about the role of industrial parks using the industrial and territorial development schemes implemented in the Asian-Pacific Countries as an example.
According to the Japanese expert, the success of an industrial-park project depends on the development level of transport and industrial infrastructure as well as the development of human capital assets. Mr. Ohasi noted that Siberia and Novosibirsk in particular have all the resources needed to create a successful industrial and park project. The expert also talked about his international experience. He gave examples of large ‘economic corridors’ that were created and are effectively operating at the territory of the Asian-Pacific Countries. The list of such countries includes Malaysia, China, India, Myanmar, Vietnam etc. Some of the poorest regions are currently in the process of active development thanks to the creation of ‘economic corridors’ and the attraction of foreign investments.
‘Where exactly will we have the opportunities for further investments now? I’m sure it’s Russia. The average GDP growth in Russia is currently expected to be from 0 to 2%; for example, annual GDP growth in China and India is 7-8%. As you see, the difference is huge. Economic demand in China and India is determined by domestic investments to a greater degree than in Russia. This means that if we increase the level of investments in Russia, we will unleash the potential for economic growth. We need to think how we can make this possible. From the perspective of foreign investors, Russia is an interesting promising place for future investments. How can we strategically and synergetically direct the limited amount of resources to a few selected ‘growth points’? The growth points are the complex formation of agglomerations where creating a high level of value added is possible. This can be implemented through the improvement of investment climate, through consultative development, as well as through the development of industrial, transport infrastructure, and human capital assets. It implies combining the development of industrial and transport infrastructure, as well as the creation of a multi-modular hub. Real opportunities for further development are available in Siberia and the Novosibirsk Region in particular. Investments will be attracted to where ‘economic corridors’ are being created’, said Ivao Ohasi.
