Governor Andrei Chibis answered questions from foreign media journalists participating in a press tour to the Murmansk Region. The delegation includes employees of Moscow-based foreign media outlets accredited to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including television, print, and electronic media correspondents from Kazakhstan, Venezuela, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Vietnam, the UAE, and China. The three-day trip is part of a series of press tours organized by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of events commemorating the 80th anniversary of Victory Day. The program includes visits to cultural and memorial sites, as well as sites showcasing the region's economic and investment potential.

Welcoming the participants, Andrei Chibis noted that today the Murmansk Region commemorates the 81st anniversary of the defeat of Nazi troops in the Arctic, emphasizing that the region, both then and now, holds great strategic significance for the country and the world.

"The Arctic sets the global agenda, and the Murmansk Region is a flagship for development and a crucial outpost for Russia on its northern borders. We are implementing major infrastructure projects. Murmansk, the largest city north of the Arctic Circle and the base port for the Northern Sea Route and the Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor, is a key competitive advantage for Russia. We are home to a unique nuclear icebreaker fleet, the Northern Fleet. Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued instructions for the development of the macroregion in all areas, and a special State Council Commission has been established, which I have been tasked with heading. The regional team is working on the 'Live in the North!' strategy, which calls for a comprehensive approach," the governor noted, presenting the region to journalists.

Andrei Chibis emphasized that in the past few years, a new port has been built in the Murmansk Region on the western shore of the Kola Bay, a railway and bridge have been built there, and a gasification project is underway. A key focus is modernizing education and training in-demand specialists for Arctic projects. Among other things, a world-class campus is being created at Murmansk Arctic University, educational infrastructure is being updated at all levels, and an early career guidance system is being implemented in collaboration with large companies, which are becoming industrial partners of educational institutions. The Murmansk Region maintains productive collaboration with foreign companies and has established partnerships with China, the Republic of Belarus, Turkey, India, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, and other countries.
A correspondent from the Belarusian National State Television and Radio Company asked about key areas of cooperation with the Republic of Belarus. 

"We are actively developing cargo shipments through our port, primarily fertilizers, and this trend is growing. One of the topics for further cooperation is the construction of a joint terminal for this purpose. This is a safe port for shipping cargo, and we have the fastest, most direct access to the world's oceans. An agreement has already been signed, a legal entity has been established, and a significant amount of investment has been attracted. We continue to ensure the necessary railway capacity, and we have the President's support in this regard. The second major area concerns everything related to equipment, including public transportation and harvesting equipment. Our mining companies use BelAZ equipment, a major service center has been opened, and the UIA branch in Apatity trains specialists. Food products from Belarus are popular," the governor said, noting growing cooperation in tourism and education, as well as the holding of joint events.

A question from a Xinhua News Agency correspondent from China focused on joint Arctic development projects with Chinese companies. Andrei Chibis emphasized that logistics is the key. 

"We recently signed a corresponding agreement with one of the largest companies, New New Shipping Line, on the development of container shipping, and we are intensifying this work. From a cargo transit perspective, this is certainly beneficial for our Chinese partners. Also, everything related to cargo transportation along the Northern Sea Route is mutually beneficial from a geopolitical perspective and potential risks standpoint. Potentially, there is the topic of a possible joint shipbuilding project, including specialized transport vessels for the NSR. We are working closely on these areas," the governor said. 

Answering a question from an Al-Mashhad TV correspondent from the United Arab Emirates, the governor emphasized the topic of tourism. Andrei Chibis noted that Murmansk is the closest to the Arctic: just 2.5 hours from Moscow and 1.5 hours from St. Petersburg, and last year the region set a record for the number of tourists: 761,000 guests.

"We are developing or are open to developing tourism projects with all the countries whose representatives are present here today. "From this perspective, the Murmansk Region is one of the most interesting destinations, and we traditionally welcome a large number of Chinese guests—both for the Northern Lights and for the summer. We see a growing interest. We invite all our friends and partners to visit us. We are also working with representatives of UAE agencies and tour operators on this promising destination," the governor noted.

The delegation members shared their impressions of the city and the region with the governor. Maxim Burlyai, Deputy Director of the Information and Press Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, summarized their impressions, thanking the governor and the northerners for the warm welcome.

"Everything here is amazing – the economic potential of the city and region, the tourism potential, the culture, the traditions. But most of all – I'll express our shared opinion – I was amazed by the people. They're sincere, passionate about their work, proud of their region, their city, their land. We're incredibly proud of Murmansk and our country," said Maxim Burlyai. 

/ Ministry of Information Policy of the Murmansk Region /