PROFILE OF THE ASTRAKHAN REGION
GENERAL INFORMATION
Astrakhan is located in the south-east of European Russia, in the Caspian
Lowland, in the lower reaches of the Volga River. The region is a part of the Southern
Federal District and is a border region: by land it borders on
the Republic of Kazakhstan, by sea – on Azerbaijan Republic, Islamic Republic of
Iran, Republic of Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.
The Volgograd region
and
the Republic of Kalmykia are Astrakhan’s neighbours in the Russian Federation.
Total area of the region is 49.0 thousand square meters. The region consists of 11
rural areas, 442 villages and settlements. Apart from the regional center there are 5
towns in the region – Akhtubinsk, Kamyzyak, Znamensk, Kharabali, and Narimanov.
Over 1 million people live in the Astrakhan region. Half of them live in the
regional center – the city of Astrakhan.
Astrakhan is famous for its cultural traditions, dating back to the remote past.
Representatives of over 140 nations and nationalities live here. All world religions
have
found
their
adherents
here.
Our
townsman,
poet Velimir Khlebnikov called Astrakhan the triangle of Christ, Mohammed and
Buddha.
In spite of its multinational structure, Astrakhan has always been and still
remains one of the most politically stable regions of Russia.
POLITICAL ROLE
Favorable geographic location of Astrakhan and its growing economic potential
have predetermined geopolitical importance of the region.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union Astrakhan again acquired its border status.
Favorable geographic location at the crossroad of transportation routes, high scientific
and technical potential ensured its predominance over other Caspian regions of
the Russian Federation. In recent years Astrakhan has in fact initiated many important
projects of economic and international cooperation in the Caspian region. Today we
have every reason to state that present-day Astrakhan is the Caspian capital
of Russia. Astrakhan region plays the key role in forming and implementing Russian
policy in the Caspian region, including such issues as legal status of the Caspian Sea,
exploitation of unique mineral and biological resources, environmental protection,
transport transit potential and development of interregional cooperation.
At the beginning of the 21st century Astrakhan once again reacquired its status of
a diplomatic city.
A number of foreign diplomatic missions work in Astrakhan, which signifies
recognition of its political role.
The following missions operate in Astrakhan on a permanent basis:
- Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran;
- Consulate of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
- Consulate of Turkmenistan;
- Representation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation;
- Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic in Astrakhan.
Besides, the possibility of opening consular mission of Azerbaijan is under
discussion.
Authorities of the Caspian states are greatly interested in developing trade,
economic, scientific, technical and cultural links with Astrakhan.
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION AND CLIMATE
The Astrakhan region is situated in the south-east of the Eastern-European plain
within the Caspian lowland, in the midlatitudes and the desert-semidesert area.
The region stretches as a narrow band along both sides of the VolgaAkhtuba flood plain in the distance of over 400 km. The sliding desert plain with
tremendous sand masses, hills and hillocks, dry hollows, lakes and karst landforms
form the predominant landscape of the region. North-westerly and south-eastward the
desert plain is crossed by the Volga-Akhtuba flood plain with its abundant streams
flowing into the Caspian Sea, thus forming a continuous delta.
Within the boundaries of the flood plain and the delta the extensive desert
landscapes interchange with meadows, banded forests (those are narrow bands of tree
vegetation along the streams), thick bushes of rush and reed mace, lively lotus
flowers. The Volga and the Caspian Seawaters abound in multifarious fauna and flora
species.
Climate in Astrakhan region is moderate and sharp continental with hot summers
and cold winters, high annual and summer daily air temperature amplitudes, little
rainfall and considerable evaporation. Average air temperature varies from 10°C in
the south to 8°C in the north. January is the coldest month of the year. Average air
temperature drops to - 5-9°C. The highest average temperature is 24-25°C in July.
The temperature difference between the coldest and the hottest month is 29-34°C.
Total rainfall is from 180-200 mm in the south to 280-290 mm in the north. The
main fall-outs (70-75%) are usually during warm seasons. Snow, wet snow and rain
are typical of local winters and are often rather continuous. In summer heavy rains are
usually accompanied by thunderstorms and occasionally by hail.
Standard annual average atmospheric pressure at 0°C in the Astrakhan region
is 765 mm. During cold season it grows to 770, during hot season drops to 760.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Land resources. Land reserves of the Astrakhan region for all types of lands are
5292.4 thousand ha. Lands allotted for agriculture amount to 3426.8 thousand ha.
Forest resources. High humidity in the flood plain and the delta areas prevents
from expanding forest grounds. Narrow bands of tree vegetation (banded or so-called
fringe woodlands) can exist only along the river beds and channels, whereas meadows
are still abundant. Only minor English oak-woods can be found in the northernmost
part of the Volga-Akhtuba flood plain. Common vegetation here is black poplar, ashtrees, elms and willows which stretch along the river stream banks. Downstream
species composition gets poorer, there are forest belts where almond-leaved and white
willow dominate.
Water resources. Water resources of the region are represented by bottom
mineral and fresh waters as well as surface waters.
A wide range of mineral waters of different chemical composition and properties
have been discovered on the territory of the region: iodine-bromine, highly
mineralized chloride sodium waters for sanatorium therapy; sulphatechloride sodium
mineral waters used for the production of sanative-table waters. A deposit of highly
mineralized calcium-magnesium-sodium water has been discovered (suspended)
which can be utilized in prospect for the sanatorium therapy and production of
medicinal mineral water.
Surface waters are represented by the Volga river, its numerous branches and a
multi-component structure of flood plain and delta channels, fresh and salt lakes and
the largest secluded pond of the planet – the Caspian Sea-lake. The lakes of
the Astrakhan region are very distinctive: tectonic lakes, impounding lakes and those
of mixed type. Their chemical composition is either fresh or salt.
The Caspian Sea is the largest lake in the world, due to its size it is often
referred to as a sea. Its area (without isles) amounts to 368 thousand square meters.
Nearly 90% of all the salt lake water of the world is here. The Caspian
Sea stretches 1000 km along the 50° East longitude and is located between 36°34' and
47°13’ North latitude. Its level is 27 meters lower than that of the World Ocean.
Maximum depth is in the south, reaching1025 meters. Caspian waters are
characterized by certain mineralization. Average salinity of the Caspian Sea in its
northern part bordering on the Astrakhan region varies from 6 to 11%, dropping to 3%
in the Volga estuary. Compared to the World Ocean, Caspian waters contain
little sodionsand chloride ions. At the same time they are rich in calcium ions
and sulphates. It can be explained by the fact that the Caspian Sea is a land-locked sea
with a considerable river flow. The fauna and flora of the northern part of the Caspian
Sea is rather diverse. Fresh and salt water animals are common dwellers here and this
is due to the pristine connection with the Arctic, Black and Mediterranean Seas. For
example, Caspian inconnu, salmon and seals migrated from the northern seas, where
they still dwell.
Wildlife. Fauna of the today’s Volga estuary and adjacent territories is very rich
and is represented by over 9000 species, inhabiting water bodies, steppes and semidesert.
Invertebrates, making up to 95% of Astrakhan’s fauna, are the most numerous
and diverse group. These groups includes protozoa, worms, crayfish, shellfish, bugs,
butterflies, etc. About 900 species of spiders inhabit Astrakhan, the most famous of
which are South-Russian tarantula and karakurt.
Another group, which is rather numerous in the Volga-Caspian basin and in the
Astrakhan region, is represented by fishes. About 100 species and subspecies of fish
inhabit the Volga and the Volga estuary. Most of them are of commercial importance.
About 300 species of birds inhabit the Astrakhan region. 72 of them are enlisted
in the Red Book, and 42 are allowed for hunting.
About 60 species of mammals inhabit Astrakhan, including saigas, boars, deer,
moose, roe deer, foxes, wolfs, gophers, etc. Besides, Astrakhan fauna includes
Caspian seal, minks and otter. 13 species are included in the regional Red Book, 26
species are allowed for hunting.
Recreation and tourism. The region has high potential for tourism. Combining
abundant water resources, beaches, meadows, a number of sunny days in summer, our
region has good potential for recreation (hunting, fishing and spearfishing, water
tourism, ornithology, educative and cultural tourism).
Mineral resources. The basic mineral resources of the Astrakhan region are oil,
gas and gas condensate, discovered on the territory of the region and on the
continental shelf within the Russian sector of the Caspian Sea as well as sulfur, salt,
bromine and iodine-silicon fossils, fresh bottom and mineral waters.
Explored and inferred resources of the region are 4.7 trillion cubic meters of gas
and over 700 million tons of oil and gas
condensate.
The Astrakhan gas condensate field is
one of the largest in the European part
of Russia. It is unique in terms of
reserves) and composition. The gas
condensate field is developed by
“Gazprom
Dobycha
Astrakhan”.
Reserves of hydrogen sulphide
containing gas are enough for hundreds
of years with the current rate of
production. Thanks to discovery of two
large gas condensate fields (CentralAstrakhan and Western-Astrakhan) in
2004-2006 and of oil deposits in
Chernoyarskiy district (Yurtovskoye
field, discovered in 2008), Astrakhan at the moment ranks first in the South Federal
District in terms of hydrocarbon resources.
Russian sector of the Caspian
Sea is one of the most promising
areas
for
hydrocarbons
prospecting. Interest of Russian
companies to the Northern
Caspian results both from high
geological potential of this area
and from proximity to European
markets (traditional markets for
Russian oil), especially in
comparison with West-Siberian
fields.
Recoverable resources of all
fields, discovered in the Caspian
Sea, are: about 255.0 million tons
of oil; about 25.0 million tons of
gas condensate; over 680.0 billion
cubic meters of natural gas and
about 30.0 billion cubic meters of
dissolved gas.
Besides, the Northern Caspian still has potential for discovery of new oil and gas
fields. According to present-day estimates, degree of exploration is as follows: for
onshore fields – 35% (gas), 3% (oil); for offshore fields 6% and 3% correspondingly.
Undiscovered potential resources of the Astrakhan region (according to VNIIGAZ,
Moscow) are over 7 trillion cubic meters of gas, which is comparable to main fields of
“Gazprom” in Siberia.
According to working estimates, undiscovered potential resources of the
Northern Caspian are about 1 billion ton of oil and 800 billion cubic meters of gas
with sulfur content up to 3%, which makes this territory very attractive for
investment.
A unique salt lake Baskunchak is situated on the territory of
the Astrakhan region. The deposit is the main place for production of table and
technical salt in Russia. Considerable reserves of salt, no overburden, possibility of
opencast mining and proximity to railroad make Baskunchak one of the largest fields
both in Russia and the CIS.
The Baskunchak bromine salt brine field
(average bromine concentration – 330 grams per
cubic meter) enables to set up bromine
production. Rock-salt deposit has been also
discovered on the western bank of the lake. At
the moment the idea of organizing a tourist zone
and a sanatorium here is under discussion.
A major Nizhnebaskunchakskoe (Lower Baskunchak) gypsum field is the basis
for the production of the ground gypsum, gypsum rock and other construction
composites.
The principal Kamenoyarskoe field of silica is situated in the north of the region
and can be truly called unique in terms of resource potential and quality.
Almost all the districts of the region abound in common fossil minerals, such as
brick clay and haydite, expanded clay, sand, which can be used for production of
construction materials.
MANUFACTURING
Regional economy is based on fuel and energy complex, shipbuilding and shiprepairing, machine-building industry, food industry and building materials industry.
Chemistry and petrochemistry, glass production, printing production and medicine are
also important.
Oil and gas industry occupies the leading position in Astrakhan economy and
determines to a large extent industrial potential and rate of social and economic
growth of the region.
The main company, representing this industry in
Astrakhan, is “Gazprom Dobycha Astrakhan”,
which is a part of OAO “Gazprom”. The
company produces commercial oil products,
liquefied hydrocarbon gases and sulfur. There
are no similar facilities for producing and
processing gas and condensate in Russia in
terms of its technical characteristics. Gas
processing plant is certified according to ISO
14001, ISO 9001 and OHSAS 18001.
Gas production facilities (first and second stage) of gas processing plant,
belonging to “Gazprom Dobycha Astrakhan” are constructed with the use of
equipment and materials from “Mannesman” (Germany) and “Lavalin” (Canada).
French company “Technip” has supplied most of the equipment for the gas processing
plant, the Japanese “Nichimen” has provided equipment and fittings for underground
gas storage, the Australian “Hellene” – sulfur storage, dispensing and loading
facilities.
Products of the plant, including
gasoline, fuel oil, diesel fuel, liquid
gas, gas condensate and sulfur are in
great demand at both domestic and
global market. The share of
“Gasprom Dobycha Astrakhan” in
“Gasprom”’s total production is
from 15 to 99% for different
products.
“Gasprom Dobycha Astrakhan”
produces 10% of world and 78% of
Russian sulfur. Sulfur prill is produced with one of the most powerful units in the
world, supplied by “Enersal”.
“LUKOIL-Nizhnevolzhskneft” is one of the leading operating companies,
investing in development of offshore hydrocarbon resources in the Russian sector of
the Caspian Sea. Yu. Korchagin field
has become one of the first fields put
into service in the Russian sector of
the Caspian Sea. It was a unique
project for Russia in terms of its
complexity and scale. At the moment
the company drills development wells
and continues exploration works in
the Caspian Sea in order to define
geological structure of V. Filanovskiy
field and to correct field infrastructure
development
schemes
for
V.
Filanovskiy, Khvalynsoye, Sarmatskoye, Rakushechnoye and 170 km fields.
Prospects of oil and gas industry are connected with development of new oil and
gas fields and with setting up of high-tech production facilities for deep processing of
hydrocarbons.
Organization of petrochemical production with high added value (ethylene,
propylene, butylene, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene glycol, etc.) at the
premises of Astrakhan gas processing plant appears rather promising (corresponding
project documents are available).
In view of forecasted decline of gas production in Western Siberia it will be
necessary to redistribute gas flows in the country. In this respect Astrakhan gas
condensate field together with offshore oil and gas fields can be viewed as providers
of gas for the would-be built “South Stream” gas pipeline with design capacity of 63
billion cubic meters of gas per year.
Priorities of the Astrakhan region, as concerns development of hydrocarbons
transportation infrastructure, are: construction of gas pipelines “Makat – Northern
Caucasus – Khosheutovo – Kharabali - Akhtubinsk” and “Zamyany – Bugrinskoye”
by “Gazprom”; expansion of Caspian Pipeline Consortium to 67 million tons of oil
per year (“CPC-R” plans to build and reconstruct several facilities in Astrakhan
before 2014).
Shipbuilding is an important and dynamically developing industry of the
region.
Shipbuilding industry of the Astrakhan region has powerful resources and fully
corresponds to requirements of modern market. Astrakhan shipyards can produce dry
cargo vessels, tankers, container carrying vessels, berthing floats, refrigerators,
barges, derrick barges and crane ships. There are 10 large and medium shipyards in
the Astrakhan region, which can build practically any vessel or repair a vessel up to 6
thousand tons in weight.
Largest shipyards of the region are: “Krasnye Barrikady”, “OSK” and “Caspian
Energy”.
Astrakhan shipyards work under supervision of major Russian and foreign
supervising authorities, including River Register, Maritime Register, DNV, German
Lloyd, etc. vessels, build in Astrakhan, successfully work in Russia, Kazakhstan,
Turkmenistan and Western Europe.
Leading shipbuilding companies developed as centers for construction of
technical equipment for offshore exploration and production of hydrocarbons. In the
70-80 Astrakhan shipyards build a lot of self-elevating and semi-submersible
platforms for exploration drilling in the Caspian Sea.
Active development of Caspian oil fields and implementation of offshore
projects stimulate development of shipbuilding and ship-repairing industry of the
Astrakhan region. Astrakhan shipbuilders develop international cooperation and
participate in offshore projects for Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. Shipbuilding and
ship-repairing yards can build vessels of any class or purpose as well as jack-up and
stationary drilling platforms.
From the moment of starting various offshore projects in the Caspian Sea
Astrakhan shipbuilders have built unique facilities, which have become symbols of
industrial development of Russia and Astrakhan thanks to their design and capacity.
First major offshore project in the Caspian Sea with active participation of
Astrakhan shipbuilders is development of Yu. Korchagin fields, discovered by
“LUKOIL”. Astrakhan company “Caspian Energy Group” built stationary drilling
platform with ice protection LSP-1. Besides, the same company has built
substructures of single buoy mooring and mounted living block LSP-2. “”Crane
Marine Contractor” took part in transportation and instaollation of LSP-1 and LSP-2.
In late April 2010 the first oil was extracted at this oil field.
Oil company “LUKOIL” has signed contracts with Astrakhan shipyards to build
offshore structures for V. Filanovskiy field, located in the Russian sector of the
Caspian Sea. “Krasnye Barrikady” is building two structures for the field: riser block
and living module (PZhM-1). The riser block is designed to connect in-field pipeline
systems and external pipes to transport oil and gas from V. Filanovskiy and Yu.
Korchagin fields to on-shore facilities. The living module can accommodate 125
people. It will also have a helicopter deck.
“Lotus” shipyard is building bearing blocks for stationery ice-protected platform
LSP-1, the main infrastructure facility of V. Filanovskiy field.
Central Technological Platform (CTP) is the most important structure of V.
Filanovskiy field. It will also be built in the Astrakhan region.
The above listed orders are a good motivation for the development of industrial
complex in the Astrakhan region. Besides, these orders mean new jobs in the
shipbuilding industry, taxes for budgets of all levels and multiplicative effect for
regional economy as a whole.
Major shipyards of the Caspian region are located in Astrakhan and are capable
of repairing vessels of any class or purpose. Shipyards have highly qualified
personnel, engineers and technicians, modern equipment and necessary infrastructure,
including slips and docks with lifting capacity up to 5400 tons. Astrakhan shipyards
have successfully performed traditional ship-repairing works, renovation of vessel
hulls and shipbuilding projects.
Large shipbuilding and ship-repairing yards are: “The Lenin Shipyard”,
“Galaktika Ltd”, “Volga-Caspian Ship-Repairing Yard”, “Akhtubinskiy Shipbuilding
Yard”, “Astrakhanskiy Ship-Repairing Yard”, “Zvezdochka”, “MSZ-2”.
Besides, a special economic zone in Astrakhan is being established. It will make
Astrakhan shipyards more competitive and will attract residents for new subsidiary
productions.
Machine-building industry of the region is represented by some large and
medium enterprises, producing press-forging equipment, metal-working and woodworking machines, painting equipment, gas water-heating devices, agricultural
equipment, boilers, die molds and
accessories for metal-working
equipment, ferritic products.
“Astrakhan locomotive repair shop” (branch of “Zheldorremmash”), continues to
develop actively. The company offers repairing of yard locomotives, diesel engines
and electric machinery. It also produces wheel sets and spare parts for locomotives.
In 2011 it won the national competition “Top 100 Goods of Russia”. At the moment
the company is actively promoting its products to foreign markets.
“Astrakhan Machine-building Plant” has started production of modified general
purpose lathe IB625M and sells it both in Russia and the CIS.
Joint-stock company “Technology of Magnetic Materials” supplies ferrite
magnets to companies, working under Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
and to several federal agencies. The company works to ensure national defense
potential. Besides, its supplies components to some companies and organizations,
producing consumer goods.



Potential of machine-building industry development is connected with:
growing need for renewal of machine equipment for metal-working industry
due to considerable obsolescence of available equipment both in Russia and the
CIS; production of new modern models of metal-working equipment
at Astrakhan enterprises;
signing contacts for repairing of rolling stock and locomotives with companies
operating in the CIS countries;
production of innovative electro-technical products.
Food industry of the region is represented by companies, producing salt, bread
and pastry, flour, macaroni and pasta, alcoholic and soft beverages.
Chemical industry of the region is characterized by concentration of production
at large and medium enterprises, accounting for the most of chemical production.
Enterprises of the region manufacture a wide range of products: fiberglass, glass-fiber
fabric, chopped fabric, polyethylene, molded and unmolded rubber items, medicinal
cork, paint and varnish, roof coating, etc.
Development of the industry is connected with modernization of largest
enterprises to produce new products of higher quality.
Light industry of the Astrakhan region is represented by large enterprises, such
as “Sardonix” and “Dyuna-Ast” producing a wide range of PVC and EVA footwear
and fishermen’s clothing.
“Duet-Plus” specializes in designing and production of uniforms and protective
clothing. Apart from the above companies, some smaller companies produce a wide
range of clothes and bed-linen.
Development of glass producing industry of the region is connected with
further enhancement of production facilities of “BM Astrakhansteklo Ltd”.
At present the company is equipped with modern imported equipment: glassforming machines IS-8, manufactured by “GPS” (Germany), glass-treating furnaces
“Pennekamp”, automatic furnace charge shop with electronic dozation system.
“Astrakhansteklo” has completely renewed its glass-melting furnace, and now it can
produce up to 220 tons of glass products per day. Monthly production is 15 million
pieces of glass items.
The company produces both standard and exclusive glass bottles, phials of
different design for pharmaceutical, perfume and cosmetic industry, as well as jars of
different size to meet the demand of Astrakhan enterprises and partners from other
regions of Russia and the Caspian countries.
CONSTRUCTION AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Construction
complex of
the Astrakhan region includes over 960
organizations, employing about 18 thousand
people.
In order to develop the construction
industry the region implements long-term
target programme “Stimulation of house
building development in Astrakhan in 20112015”. Special attention in this programme is
paid to individual housing construction. At the
moment over 60% of all houses, built in the region, are private, which corresponds to
national housing policy. Low rise buildings are becoming more and more popular,
which is quite understandable given today’s level of automobilization and
obsolescence of utilities.
The main task of house-building sector is to increase annual production to 1
square meter per person by 2020.
There are all necessary conditions to implement the above plans. 35 multi-storey
apartment buildings are under construction in Astrakhan at the moment. Their total
floor space is over 220 thousand square meters. It is planned to complete the houses in
2012.
Social and cultural infrastructure is developed simultaneously with house
building:
- sports and entertainment center, accommodating up to 7000 people and a
swimming pool
- embankment of the Volga River
- shopping mall “Yarmarka and hypermarket “Magnit” at Vokzalnaya square
- bus station, accommodating 300 passengers and a hotel with 132 comfortable
rooms
- non-stop transit road; total length 6.74 kilometers.
- surgery department of Aleksandro-Mariinskaya Clinical Hospital No. 1 was put
into operation and equipped with modern medical equipment.
- school No. 594 in Solyanka village (Narimanovskiy district of the Astrakhan
region)
Construction materials industry is a dynamically developing branch of the
regional economy.
Construction materials industry and construction in the Astrakhan region are
represented by the following plants and factories:
- 10 concrete products plants, producing concrete goods, precast units and
structures with total production capacity of 448 thousand cubic meters per
year. There are also several workshops and facilities, producing over 700
thousand cubic meters of concrete and cement slurry;
- 17 brick factories with total production capacity of 173 million bricks per year;
- 2 producers of heat insulation materials (foamed polystyrene);
- wood-working facility;
- plant, producing gypsum rock and dry mixes.
High demand for houses over the previous years has created prerequisites for
development of construction and construction materials industry in the region.
As a result there has been considerable growth of capacities in the construction
industry: annual production capacities for concrete grew by 88 thousand cubic meters,
for cement slurries – by 261 thousand cubic meters, for wall materials – by 80.36 mln.
bricks.
As production of construction materials and structural units requires a lot of
electric power, companies of the industry tend to modernization, reconstruction, reequipment and introduction of modern energy and resource-saving technologies.
Construction materials industry is developing steadily. In the nearest future it is
planned to build two brick factories, a lime plaster plant and to start production of
foam polystyrene blocks.
Astrakhan actively participates in different federal programs, thus ensuring
further development of construction industry.
TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE
Astrakhan water transport hub. There are 20 stevedoring companies operating
in the region. 16 of them handle general cargo and containers, 2 companies work with
sulfur, and 2 terminals are designed for transshipment of oil and oil products.
As part of its social and economic development strategy, Astrakhan continues
development of Olya port and modernization of port facilities of port Astrakhan.
The following federal properties are built in Olya port under federal target
programmes “Modernization of Russia’s transport system (2002-2010)” and
“Development of transport infrastructure in Russia” (2010-2015): terminals of the
first cargo area No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 6a, 7, 8, 9, support terminals No. 10, 10a and 10b,
engineering infrastructure. It is planned to carry out dredging.
There are also private investment in the port, for example a grain terminal with
annual capacity of 500 thousand tons. Up to 30 thousand tons of wheat can be stored
at the terminal. Terminal for transshipment of vegetable oils is under construction. Its
design capacity is 160 thousand tons.
Total amount of financing of the first cargo area of Olya port is 14.4 billion
rubles. 8.1 billion rubles have already been spent from the moment of starting the
construction.
Federal target programme “Development of transport infrastructure in Russia
(2010-2015)” includes federal financing of the first cargo area of Olya port, designed
for container, general and roll-on cargo, ferry transport and oil loading facilities.
It is planned to make all design works in 2014-2015 and to start construction in
2015. Total amount of financing is 3.425 billion rubles, including 625 million from
federal budget and 2.8 billion from private investment.
Capacity building of the port means growing amount of cargo. Cargo turnover in
Olya port increased year after year, which fully corresponds to national policy of
maintaining and expanding economic, political and transport presence of the Russian
Federation in the Caspian Sea. For example, in 2006 cargo turnover of Olya was
about 270 thousand tons, while in 2010 it was 1054.1 thousand tons.
Integration of Olya into the international transport corridor “North-South” will
make the port one of the key element of Astrakhan water transport hub.
Joint work of ZAO “Profit” and OAO “Armada Cargo Company” can be
mentioned as a good example of cargo terminals modernization in Astrakhan port.
The companies finished the first stage of modernization of “Armada”’s port facilities
and have started reconstruction of cargo terminal No. 2. They are also working on
equipment of a border checkpoint.
Railroads connect Astrakhan with
other
regional
centers
of Russia,
with Kazakhstan, Central Asia and Caucasus. Total length of railroads in the
Astrakhan region is over 2200 km.
Implementation of the investment project
“Complex reconstruction of Trubnaya – Verkhniy
Baskunchak – Aksaraiskaya section of Privolzhskaya
railroad”.
Railroad line Trubnaya – Aksaraiskaya of Privolzhskaya railroad is a part of the
international transport corridor “North-South”. It connects Ural, Siberia, NorthWestern and Central Russia with southern regions of our country, ports of the Caspian
Sea, Kazakhstan and Caucasus. Projected capacity of this railroad section is 65.3
million tons by 2020.
Air transport in the Astrakhan region is represented by joint-stock company
“Airport Astrakhan”; Astrakhan branch of “Aeronavigation South” of FSUE “Public
Corporation
for
Air
Traffic
Management” and representation of
“Aeroflot” in Astrakhan.
At the moment air carriers
“Siberia”,
“UTair”,
“Airflot”,
“ARMAVIA”, “AZAL”, “SKAT”,
perform regular flights to Moscow,
Baku, Aktau, Erevan and SaintPetersburg. From March 31, 2014
“Turkish airlines” performs direct
flights from Istanbul to Astrakhan.
It should be pointed out, that number of charters to Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan,
Ukraine and other countries has increased considerably in recent years.
“Airport Astrakhan” is an international airport with capacity of 400 passengers
per hour. The airport operates on a 24 hour basis.
AGRICULTURE
Agricultural complex in the region is developing in the following spheres: cattle
breeding, crop growing and seedage. Processing and food industry are fundamental
for food safety of the region.
Considerable changes have occurred in agriculture over the last few years. A lot
of new farms have appeared, and every year they increase their production, making an
important contribution into food balance of the Astrakhan region.
Over some years gross agricultural output in Astrakhan was higher than average
output for Russia. Thanks to well-coordinated work of farmers and manufacturers of
agricultural products agricultural output in money terms has increased over the last
five years from 11 to 25 billion rubles. In comparable prices agricultural output has
doubled.
Crop growing
Astrakhan is one of the leading
producers of vegetables and watermelons in Russia. In 2012 year
production was over 1 million tons.
Over 50 varieties of tomatoes, rich
in vitamins and with excellent taste are
grown in the region. Growing of onions
(annual growth of 10-15%) and of early vegetables (with the use of different kinds of
hothouses) is considered very perspective.
Climate of the region allows to get double cropping of potatoes. Using of highquality seed potatoes (Russian, Dutch and German sorts) is crucial for getting high
and stable harvest. Production of early potatoes looks very promising and grows every
year.
Astrakhan has always been famous for its water-melons. One can say, that
“Astrakhan water-melon” has become a well-known brand of our region. Taste and
nutrition properties of local water-melons rank second to none both
in Russia and Europe.
Intensive gardening has also become one of the priorities of agricultural sector in
the Astrakhan region.
There are about 80 hectares of
gardens in the Astrakhan region at the
moment. It is planned to double the area
in the nearest future. Intensive
technology ensures fruit bearing already
on the second year after planting the
yard.
Growing of rice has already
become
traditional
for
the Astrakhan region. It has good quality
and corresponds to all sanitary norms,
while its taste has made its popular
among customers from many regions
of Russia.
Drip irrigation is widely used in the Astrakhan region. This equipment
significantly reduces water costs and is used at the territory of about 20 thousand
hectares.
Cattle breeding
Cattle breeding is developing dynamically
in the Astrakhan region. It is proved by growing
production and livestock population.
Construction of dry feed lots and processing
facilities is successfully implemented in 4
districts of the Astrakhan region under the target
programme “Development of beef cattle farming
and beef production in the Astrakhan region”:
(“Astrakhanskiye Plemennye Resursy” in
Narimanosvkiy district; “Lebed Ltd” and N. Shapieva’s farm in Privolzhskiy district;
“Ubush Ltd” in Enotaevskiy district; “APK Liman” in Limanskiy district).
There are 35 pedigree farms in the region, raising different breeds of animals,
poultry and fishes.
To support dairy industry 360 Simmental and red-and-white cows have been
imported from the Slovak Republic.
Sheep breeding is the leading branch of livestock husbandry in the
region. Astrakhan has unique genetic fund of Karakul, Groznenskiy, Volgogradskiy,
Sovetskiy, meet-wool and Edilbaev breeds of sheep, offering wide opportunities for
production of mutton and wool.
Horse breeding is developing in the Astrakhan region, and the stock
of Kushumskaya and Donskaya breeds is growing.
Our region is the leader in the sphere of Bactrian camel breeding
(Kalmyk breed). Over 70% of all Russia’s camel stock is raised here.
Every year shows of pedigree animals are organized, including camel races (the
prize is provided by Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation).
Poultry breeding is developing thanks to re-equipment of poultry factories.
Chicken broilers are raised at one of poultry factories in the region.
Development of processing industry
Development of agricultural sector is impossible without development of all
related infrastructure, including processing factories.
Processing
industry
of
the Astrakhan region is represented by such
dynamically developing sectors as dairy
industry, meat-, rice- and vegetable
processing industries and production of
compound feed for animals. There are 52
processing companies in the region, and 25
processing plants produce a wide range of
canned fruit and vegetables (over 200
products, including tomato paste, juices, canned vegetables, marinades, frozen
products, etc).
Investments and subsidization of bank credits help to expand existing production
facilities and to reequip them, or to establish new companies, applying modern
resource-saving technologies and allowing for deeper processing of agricultural raw
materials.
Only over the last two years several major processing facilities of the Astrakhan
region, including “Astrakhan Canning Factory”, “Astrakhan Natural Product”,
Volodarskiy canning factory (all together they produce 70% of all canned and frozen
vegetables in the region) have been reequipped. They bought new freezers and new
canning lines. Meat processing factories (namely, “Akhtubinskiy” and “Liman”) have
also bought new equipment.
To address such issues as storage and distribution, 11 vegetable stores, equipped
with modern ventilation and climate control equipment were put into service. These
storage facilities ensure storage and pre-sale preparation of about 25 thousand tons of
vegetables. Now total capacity of vegetable stores in the region is about 100 thousand
tons, ensuring complete distribution chain “from the field to the shop”.
TOURISM AND RECREATION
As one cannot imagine Russia without the Volga river, the Volga cannot be
imagined without Astrakhan with its remarkably rich history and unique nature and
climate.
Interlace
of
cultures
and
different
civilizations
Hunns and Sarmatians, Khazars, Pechenegs, Tatars and Mongols left a unique
imprint on cultural and historical heritage of
the Astrakhan region.
Thanks to its unique nature and
favorable geographic location near the
Caspian Sea, Astrakhan has excellent
potential for the development of competitive
tourist industry, based on receiving both
Russian and foreign guests.
Astrakhan tourism has a clearly defined
trend – fishing and hunting. Our region occupies 25-30% of Russian market for
fishing and hunting, which have already become the brand of the Astrakhan region.
At the same time other kinds of tourism are developing, such as cultural and
educational tourism, eco-tourism, cruises, business travelling and event tourism.
Over 2 million people visit Astrakhan every year.
Fishing and hunting
Fishing and hunting form the foundation of regional tourist product, ensuring
stable inflow of tourists. This type of tourism depends directly on seasonal factor and
on the condition of biological resources. According to expert estimates, fishing and
hunting occupy from 70 to 90 percent of regional tourist market.
The region tries to strengthen its position as the main center in Russia for sport
fishing and angling by means of environmentally friendly treatment of its unique
recreational potential and modernization of the whole range of tourist services.
Cultural and educational tourism
At the moment cultural potential of the
region is represented by four theaters,
philharmonics, Kurmangazy Sagyrbaev cultural
center, 2 museums with 17 branches and over
300 thousand museum pieces, 651 cultural site and monument. Over 400 thousand
people visit museums of the region every year.
Archeological excavations, performed in the region for several decades, allowed
to trace the history of our region starting from the IX century. Heritage of several
historical periods, numerous architectural monuments, cultural sites and historic
places could become the basis for archeological, ethnographic and historic tours.
Khazar Khanate (Chaganate) was the first feudal state on the territory of the
Astrakhan region. One of the most striking archeological findings from this period is
Samosdelskoye Gorodische, called so because of the village located near this
archeological site. In the XIII-XV century Sarai-Batu (also known as Sarai-alMakhrusa), the capital of the Golden Horde, was located here. This unique
archeological evidence is over six hundred years old. Archeological research started
here in the XVIII century and it still continues in our days. The site is known all over
the world and is protected by UNESCO.
Six kilometers to the north from Selitrennoye there is an interesting tourist
attraction, named “Sarai-Batu, the capital of the Golden Horde”. In 1261 an orthodox
eparchy was founded here, in Sarai Batu. And 750 years later a movie was made,
dedicated to this event. Motion picture producers built a small town here with palaces,
houses and mosques. Inside one can see pumps, items of everyday life, carts.
Astrakhan Kremlin is the main sightseeing attraction, forming the image of our
region As an architectural monument it has been nominated for the UNESCO World
Heritage List. In 2009 a concept was designed to adjust the territory of Astrakhan
Kremlin for international tourist business.
Being, as Velimir Khlebnikov once said, “the triangle of Buddha, Christ and
Mohammed”, Astrakhan could be very attractive for pilgrims. Temples and churches
of many religions can be found here, and though this type of tourism is not widely
spread, it could be prospective because of growing public interest to religion.
Eco-tourism
Unique nature of the region preconditions development of ecological tourism.
There are two nature reserves in the region, one of which has the status of
biosphere reserve, and 12 wildlife sanctuaries.
The most popular eco-tourism trends include tours to the Caspian Sea in summer
(when lotus flower blooms); tours to Bogdo mountain and Baskunchak lake; cactuses,
growing in Kharabalinskiy district, blossoming poppies, oak forest and VolgaAkhtuba flood plain.
Spa therapy
Healing
properties
of
water,
brine
and
mud
from
lakes Baskunchak, Mramornoye, Lechebnoye, etc., springs of mineral and radon
water, traditions of kumiss therapy, combined with dry and hot climate
produce balneological effect and create conditions for spa tourism.
Sanatoriums and health resorts “Tinaki” and “Bassol”, successfully operating in
the region, prove that this trend could be perspective.
Business tourism
Active modernization and development of city infrastructure encourage business
activity, helping to turn Astrakhan into the leading center of the Caspian region for
organization of forums, congresses, conferences, sporting events, including regular
ones. At the same time it helps to reduce dependence on seasonal factor, to distribute
pressure on tourist infrastructure more evenly and to diversify regional tourist
product.
There are 88 hotels in the region, 55 of which are located in Astrakhan. There is
one five-star hotel and one four-star hotel.
Cruises
Over the last years one could observe positive trend in cruising tourism. Number
of passenger ships, arriving in Astrakhan, is steadily growing.
Three
operating
companies
specialize
in
cruise
tourism
in Astrakhan,
offering
various
sightseeing programs and excursions
in the city and in the region.
Organization of modern stations
for
ship
servicing
both
in Astrakhan and along the route of
vessels and yachts could become an
additional
source
of
tourism
development.
Event-driven tourism
Large-scale events represent a special
aspect of tourism marketing in the region. Such
events receive wide coverage in mass-media and
help to promote recreation potential of the
region. Fishing festival “Vobla”, historical
festival
“Polovetskiye Stepi”,
rally-road
“Khazar Steppe” and other events, organized in
the region, prove the effectiveness of this type of
tourism.
INVESTMENT
Astrakhan is a dynamically developing region with vast investment
opportunities predetermined by its geopolitical location, investment potential and low
investment risks.
Growing amount of investment in the region can be attributed to the availability
of attractive projects for financing and active investment policy of regional
Government, providing for favorable investment climate in the region. Attractive
conditions for investment are ensured by a whole range of measures from
improvement of investment legislation to establishment of specialized institutions to
support regional investment activity.
Upon the whole, investment process in the region is characterized by positive
trend. This positive dynamics is supported by growing consumer and investment
demand in the region, including the prospect of developing oil and gas fields in
the Northern Caspian and development of transport.
Legislative and regulatory framework of the Astrakhan region for investment
attraction is constantly improved to adjust to real market conditions and at the
moment it is one of the most investor-friendly regulatory frameworks in the Russian
Federation.
Public support of investment activities in the Astrakhan region is carried out
pursuant to the Law of the Astrakhan region “On public support of investment
activities in the Astrakhan region” No. 50/2006-RL dd. 16.08.2006.
The following forms of public support for investment activities are available in
the Astrakhan region:
an investment project can be assigned a status (investment project,
approved by the Government of the Astrakhan region; investment project of
special importance; social investment project; investment project, implemented
in the zone of complex development of the Astrakhan region);
participation in elaboration, promotion and implementation of investment
projects.
Assigning the status to an investment project involves income tax and property
tax remissions pursuant to the Laws of the Astrakhan region No. 83/2009-RL dd.
16.11.2009 “On reduced corporate income tax for certain categories of taxpayers” and
No. 92/2009-RL dd. 26.11.2009 “On corporate property tax”.
Tax rate
Special importance
procedure
Investment project approved
by the Government of
the Astrakhan region
- to the federal budget
2.0 %
2.0 %
2.0 %
- to the regional
budget
18.0 %
16.0 %
13.5 %
Corporate property
tax - to the regional
budget
2.2%
Tax rate varies from
Tax rate varies from
1.8 to 1.1%
1.0 to 0.2%
Tax
Common
investment project
Income tax:
Law of the Astrakhan region “On public-private partnership in
the Astrakhan region” has been approved to fix basic principles of partnership:
interaction between the parties, division of responsibility and risks, freedom of
contracts and balance of public and private interests.
Investment attractiveness of the region is not limited to the system of
preferences for investors and subsidies for manufacturers of agricultural products.
Government of the Astrakhan region and local self-governments use various direct
and indirect regulatory and managerial methods to stimulate investment.
Web-site of investment offers http://invest.astrobl.ru is operating successfully. It
contains all useful information for potential investors and partners, including regional
legislation, available investment sites, description of investment projects, etc. Multifunctional interactive map of the Astrakhan region is also available here, which can be
singled out as a separate tool for investor’s information support.
REGIONAL AUTHORITIES
Governor of the Astrakhan region
Alexander Zhilkin
15 Sovetskaya St.
414008 Astrakhan Russia
Tel. 8512 51-17-67
[email protected]
Vice-governor – Chairman of the Astrakhan region
Government
Konstantin Markelov
15 Sovetskaya St.
414008 Astrakhan Russia
Tel. 8512 51-15-74
[email protected]
Deputy Chairman of Astrakhan region Government –
minister of economic development
Elina Polyanskaya
15 Sovetskaya St.
414008 Astrakhan Russia
Tel. 8512 51-49-93
Fax. 8512 52-50-66
[email protected]
Minister of international and foreign economic
relations of theAstrakhan region
Denis Afanasiev
45 Esplanadnaya St.
414000, Astrakhan, Russia
Tel. 8512 51-61-24
Fax. 8512 51-17-09
[email protected]