AIRR Regions - Leaders in the National Rating of Investment Attractiveness of Special Economic Zones

On December 24, 2024, the Association of Clusters, Technoparks, and Special Economic Zones, together with the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, announced the results of the VIII National Rating of Investment Attractiveness of Special Economic Zones (SEZs). The rating identified leaders based on an assessment of 33 SEZs across 27 regions of the country. The methodology for the rating, based on principles of transparency and consideration of factors affecting the investment climate, highlights the most successful and dynamically developing zones.

According to Alexander Soldatov, Acting Director of the Regional Development Department at the Ministry of Economic Development, over 19 years, SEZs have become one of the key tools for territorial development. Currently, approximately 1,300 projects are being implemented in SEZs with a total investment volume of 6.3 trillion rubles, creating jobs and forming growth points in key sectors of the economy, including industry, science, logistics, and tourism.
"This rating has become an important benchmark for investors seeking to choose the most profitable and reliable projects. We are pleased to note that more and more special economic zones demonstrate high management standards and create comfortable conditions for doing business," stated Mikhail Labudin, Director of the Association of Clusters, Technoparks, and SEZs of Russia.

 Leaders of the Rating

Members of the Association of Innovative Regions of Russia (AIRR) occupied all top five positions in the rating:
1st place: SEZ "Lipetsk" (Lipetsk Region)
2nd place: SEZ "Alabuga" (Republic of Tatarstan)
3rd place: SEZ "Tolyatti" (Samara Region)
4th place: SEZ "Ulyanovsk" (Ulyanovsk Region)
5th place: SEZ "Kulibin" (Nizhny Novgorod Region)

Winners in Special Nominations

"Stable Growth": SEZ "Alga" (Bashkortostan).
"I consider this a worthy result. Our special economic zone successfully fulfills its tasks. Investors come to us, open new productions, and create jobs. All this contributes to the economic development of the region," said regional head Radiy Khabirov. Currently, SEZ "Alga" has 23 residents; engineering and transport infrastructure is developing, territory is expanding, and international industrial cooperation is emerging, including with Belarusian partners. "I thank the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation and the Association of Clusters, Technoparks, and SEZs of Russia for their high assessment of our work. We will continue this effort to make Bashkortostan an even more comfortable region for business," noted Radiy Khabirov.

 "Comfortable Start for Residents": SEZ "Ulyanovsk."
The unique feature of SEZ "Ulyanovsk" is that it is the only port-type SEZ in Russia that shares a common border with an international airport. The zone operates under a free customs zone regime and offers tax incentives; approximately 46 thousand square meters of production facilities have been constructed there.

 "Dynamically Developing SEZ": SEZ "Kulibin" (Nizhny Novgorod Region).
In its four years of existence, this zone has attracted 36 companies with investments exceeding 116 billion rubles. "The SEZ 'Kulibin' was established in 2020 and has been rapidly developing since then. Currently, the expert council has approved projects from 36 companies with total investments exceeding 116 billion rubles. It can already be said that this special economic zone is one of the drivers for economic development in our region," said Governor Gleb Nikitin.