Krasnodar Region showcases its economic potential to Saudi investment funds

An expert session titled «Strategic Alliance: Partnership and Investment between Russia and Saudi Arabia» was held as part of the Innoprom exhibition in Riyadh. The delegation from the Krasnodar Region is led by Deputy Governor Alexander Ruppel.

The exhibition’s business programme opened with an expert session attended by Mazen Barnawi, Head of the GSCRI Programme at the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Investment; Yusuf Alshabnan, Senior Project Manager at the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources; Hiba A. Alajeeb, Senior Manager at the Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority; and Ghannam Alghannam, Director of Strategic Communications.

The participants discussed new cooperation models to expand export opportunities and strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries. They also identified priority areas for mutual investment in the economies of Saudi Arabia and the Russian Federation.

Deputy Governor Alexander Ruppel showcased the Krasnodar Region’s investment potential, spotlighting its key advantages, promising sectors for investment, and existing government support for investors.

«Today, the Krasnodar Region is the fifth-largest economy in the Russian Federation. Over the past five years, the region’s key economic indicators have more than doubled. These figures refer to both the gross regional domestic product, which has grown 2.2-fold, and the volume of investment, which has grown 2.3-fold. The current investment portfolio has also risen 2.1-fold. The region currently has 580 major projects in the active phase, with a total value of over 4.4 trillion roubles,» said Alexander Ruppel.

The Deputy Head of the region emphasised the region’s strategic importance as Russia’s southern gateway. A well-developed transport infrastructure, nine ice-free seaports, international airports, and an expanding network of air services create favourable conditions for the implementation of projects targeting both domestic and international markets.

Alexander Ruppel stated that the Krasnodar Region’s diversified economy positions it to offer businesses a unique range of investment opportunities across virtually all sectors of the economy. The Deputy Governor emphasised the immense potential of the agri-food sector, the tourism industry, manufacturing, and logistics. The Krasnodar Region is a leader in Russia’s agricultural sector, attracting approximately 20 million tourists annually and offering investors a range of support measures.

«The Krasnodar Region is a mature market with strong domestic demand and a diversified economy. We offer investors more than support but a partnership. Every project gets a dedicated manager, and we share full responsibility for outcomes with the business,» said Alexander Ruppel.

On the opening day of the business programme, participants held meetings and sessions to explore strategic partnership opportunities between Russia and Saudi Arabia in energy, digital technologies, automation, new materials, maritime logistics, and industrial infrastructure.

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The international industrial exhibition «Innoprom. Saudi Arabia» is taking place in Riyadh from 8 to 10 February.