Official sees construction in 3 tourism zones starting this year

Construction of infrastructure facilities in three tourism and recreation economic zones in Russia is expected to start in 2009, Andrei Alpatov, head of the Federal Agency for the Management of Special Economic Zones, said at a meeting Friday.

Specifically, construction will start in tourism zones being created in the constituent republic of Buryatia, the Altai Region, and the Altai Republic, Alpatov said.

Construction of infrastructure facilities in the tourism zones in the Altai Region and Altai Republic is expected to be completed within two years, he added. Alpatov did not specify a timeline for the completion of facilities in the tourism zone in Buryatia.

According to the agency, the number of resident companies in the country?s special economic zones was at 143 in 2008 and is expected to increase to 327 in 2009 and 510 in 2010.

Residents? investments are expected to increase to 29.1 billion rubles this year from 16.6 billion rubles in 2008.

Special economic zones in Russia have been created or are being created to develop industrial production, the high-tech sector, tourism, and ports. Companies operating in such zones enjoy a number of benefits, including lower taxes.

sections: Society