Preferential Regime for the Russian Arctic Zone: Contribution to the Socio-Economic Development of the Regions

Annotation

In accordance with the Federal Law “On State Support for Entrepreneurial Activity in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation”, a preferential regime has been established in the Arctic regions, making the Arctic Zone the largest special economic zone in Russia and the world. The preferential regime in the Arctic zone should promote economic development of the territories, stimulate investment and entrepreneurial activity. The aim of the study is to identify the features and problems that have arisen during the implementation of this project, based on an analysis of the practice of establishing and developing the preferential regime of the Arctic Zone, as well as the implementation of the set tasks for economic development and the revitalization of investment and entrepreneurial activity in the Arctic territories, and, on this basis, to formulate the author’s vision of the areas of activity on which efforts should be concentrated to successfully achieve the set objectives. The analysis showed that the predominant share of declared investments and jobs falls on the European part of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation. However, many of the participants are at the initial stage of investment, and the actual amount invested is comparatively lower than declared. The reason for this may be the repeated change in the vision of the development of the Arctic zone, the underdevelopment of infrastructure and economic instability, which create high risks for investors and force them to adopt a cautious approach. Large-scale business continues to dominate in the Arctic regions. At the same time, the development of small and medium-sized enterprises in the Arctic zone is of great importance for the creation of new industries and production facilities, that is, for the restructuring of the economy and the comprehensive socio-economic development of the region. Proposals for the implementation of the tasks set in the law have been developed. In particular, it was proposed to use not only economic, but also social and environmental indicators when developing a methodology for assessing the effectiveness of the special economic zone of the Russian Arctic.

About authors

Lyubov V. Larchenko, Dr. Sci (Econ.), Professor
The Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, Naberezhnaya Reki Moyki, 48, Saint Petersburg, Russia
lubalar@mail.ru, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2480-2740

Valeria B. Gulyaeva, Cand. Sci (Econ.)
The Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, Naberezhnaya Reki Moyki, 48, Saint Petersburg, Russia
valeria.gyliaeva@yandex.ru, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6284-4354

Keywords

Arctic zone, socio-economic regional development, preferential regime, sustainable development

DOI

https://doi.org/10.37482/issn2221-2698.2026.63.103

UDC

332.12(985)(045)