Development of the Far East in the Russian Federation’s policy

Abstract

The aim of this article is to analyze the causes of the increased involvement of the Russian government in the development of the Far East, to identify the directions of actions taken to promote development in this region and to assess them, taking into account the existing barriers. Regardless of the numerous concepts, programs and strategies adopted, the Russian government has been unable to develop a genuinely comprehensive model for the region’s development and to generate tangible development stimuli in the region. Considering the concrete measures taken by the Russian government, energy and transportation should be recognized as the region’s most promising sectors. The consequence of the priorities adopted by the Russian government will result in the deepening reliance of the Russian and regional economies on the energy sector. The main barriers to the development of the Far East are those linked to the systemic problems existing in Russia as a whole, whereas many other barriers have a specifically local character. There are no prerequisites that would permit the assumption that, in the medium or long term, the economy of the Far East could become competitive, given the rapid development of China. In the current circumstances, it appears that its status as a stable supply base of raw materials for Asiancountries is the maximum development potential of the Far East.