Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks at the Moscow Region’s presentation, Moscow, November 1, 2018
Mr Vorobyov, ladies and gentlemen, Your Excellency, colleagues,
I am happy to welcome you to the Moscow Region’s presentation. Representatives of federal and regional authorities, the diplomatic corps, Russian and foreign business executives and the media are all here.
The Moscow Region is among the most dynamically developing regions in the Russian Federation. This is due not only to its convenient geographical location, its close proximity to the capital, but above all, to the consistent efforts of the regional leadership headed by Andrey Vorobyov, which has been working for comprehensive modernisation.
The Moscow Region confidently holds a leading position in industrial production. Its key industries include energy, instrument engineering, radio-electronic, aerospace, food processing industries, and construction. The region is home to major industrial facilities such as the Demikhovo Machine-Building Plant, Metrovagonmash, the Zhukovsky Machine-Building Plant, and the Zagorsk Pipe Plant. This list is far from complete and could be extended indefinitely. Growth can also be seen in agriculture, trade and services.
The Moscow Region is also an important transport hub comprising an extensive system of federal motorways and railways, as well as the three largest international airports in Russia – Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo and Vnukovo.
The Moscow Region has created favourable conditions for doing business and ranks first among other Russian regions in investment appeal. Industrial parks and three special economic zones (SEZ) are successfully operating here, including the Dubna SEZ, which is recognised as the most effective in the country.
The Moscow Region boasts high research potential. Eight of the 13 Russian science cities are located here. Many of them are widely known in Russia and beyond. For example, the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna has firmly established itself as one of the world's leading nuclear research centres. And the town of Zhukovsky is known for hosting the annual MAKS international aviation and space show, immensely popular in Russia and abroad.
The region’s international ties and foreign economic relations are expanding and deepening with countries in Europe, Asia, and America. A number of large foreign companies have been operating in the region for years, and lucrative joint business projects are being implemented.
The region traditionally attracts many foreign tourists. Among the most visited places are Sergiyev Posad with its Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra monastery – a place of pilgrimage for many Orthodox believers, and Kolomna, known for its Kremlin castle built in the 16th century. The Moscow Region is the origin of the world-famous Pavlovo Posad shawls, Gzhel ceramics, and Zhostovo metal painting. The secrets of these traditional Russian crafts are carefully cherished and passed down from generation to generation.
The Moscow Region is also known for its nature parks and reserves – Losiny Ostrov, Serebryanny Bor, Zavidovo, and the Prioksko-Terrasny Reserve.
Many prominent Russian writers, scientists, public figures, and military leaders are associated with the region, including the big names of Russian and world literature including Anton Chekhov and Alexander Blok.
I am confident that today the guests of this presentation will have a chance to get a closer look at the region’s multi-faceted potential, its glorious history, rich traditions and culture.
I would like to wish the regional leadership, and personally Governor Andrey Vorobyov, and all the residents of the Moscow Region good health, prosperity and new successes. And to the participants of the presentation – have an interesting evening, and all the best.
Thank you.