A working meeting was held between Murmansk Region Governor Andrei Chibis and Sammy Manoj Kotwani, President of the Indian Business Alliance, as part of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).
The regional governor presented the investment and industrial potential of the Murmansk Region to his Indian partners, emphasizing its key role in strengthening Russia's presence in the Arctic. Particular attention was paid to the development of the Comprehensive Arctic Development Project and the establishment of the Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor—a strategically important route opening up new logistics opportunities.
"Key development projects for our region include rare earth metals, as well as port infrastructure and logistics. We are actively developing the Northern Sea Route, part of the Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor, which offers a convenient alternative to traditional routes. This is a strategically significant project for the development of the entire Arctic, and Murmansk is a key port for the NSR and the Third Transport Corridor. We are working with the Russian Government and the Presidential Administration to ensure the project is economically viable. This is also being addressed by the relevant State Council Commission, which I chaired on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Commission consolidates the interests and resources of representatives from all Arctic regions, including government, business, science, and public organizations," Andrei Chibis noted during the meeting.
The regional governor noted that a strong economic foundation has already been established: last year alone, trade between the Murmansk Region and India grew by more than 60%. The governor and alliance representatives discussed potential areas of cooperation, including those involving Indian companies in Arctic projects. Potentially promising projects include industrial cooperation and regional investment in logistics and port infrastructure, import substitution, and localization.
Following the meeting, an agreement was reached to organize a visit to the Murmansk Region by a delegation of Indian entrepreneurs and business leaders. The trip will allow representatives of Indian companies to assess opportunities for joint projects firsthand and hold talks with regional authorities and potential partners.
Representatives of companies specializing in seafood processing and cold chain logistics, ship repair, marine engineering, port equipment manufacturing and operation, fertilizer production, and mineral resource extraction are expected to visit the Murmansk Region.
For reference:
The Indian Business Alliance, a non-profit partnership, is one of the oldest and most respected platforms uniting the Indian business community in the Russian Federation. The Alliance works to strengthen the Russian-Indian strategic partnership and expand trade, economic, investment, cultural, and humanitarian cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of India.
/Ministry of Information Policy of the Murmansk Region/
