The Novosibirsk Region, established in 1937, is part of the Siberian Federal District and ranks among the largest Russian territories. Area: 177,800 sq km (1.1% of Russia's total area). The region stretches for over 600 km from west to east and for another 400 km plus from north to south. The region comprises five municipal areas, 30 municipal districts and 455 municipal communities. As of January 1, 2011, the region's population was 2,666,000.
The region's economic and social development is determined by the following economic sectors: defence industry enterprises, civilian engineering, the science-educational and agro-industrial sectors, as well as a ramified transport infrastructure of nationwide and inter-regional importance.
The production sphere is dominated by power generation and distribution, as well as gas-and-water production and distribution; processing facilities manufacturing foodstuffs, drinks and beverages; iron and steel production and manufacture of ready-made iron and steel products, electrical equipment, electronic and optical equipment, as well as production of fuel and energy.
Since early 2011, the Novosibirsk Region has posted positive trends in economic development. Industrial production, agriculture, the construction industry and trade make the greatest contribution to regional economic growth.
In January-September 2011, industrial production grew by 7.3% compared to the same period for 2010. This exceeds average nationwide growth by 2.1 percent points. The manufacturing industry posted the most robust growth (14.2%). Production of transport systems; machinery and equipment; iron and steel production and manufacture of ready-made iron and steel products is developing at a rapid pace, posting 37.5%, 27.4% and 18.3% growth, respectively.
Since early 2011, the Novosibirsk Region has retained positive trends in agricultural production (11.2% from January-September 2010). In January-September 2011, gross agricultural output totaled 46.7 billion roubles. A total of 628.3 million roubles were spent on implementing projects of the federally targeted programme "Social development of the countryside up to 2013."
Novosibirsk Region's institutions of state authority prioritise the creation of conditions for expanded construction of top-quality and affordable housing.
The region continues to implement programmes stipulating construction of housing for public-sector employees, economy-class housing for underprivileged residents, as well as mortgage-and-loan subsidies for those wishing to build or purchase housing inside multi-storey, economy-class apartment buildings. In September 2011, a programme providing state support for young families buying newly-built housing was launched. Since early 2011, 534 million roubles' worth of regional-budget funding have been allocated for these purposes. Budgetary support has enabled 417 young families and 77 public-sector employees to improve their housing conditions. In all, 635 World War II veterans, 16 veterans of combat operations, as well as 47 disabled persons and families with disabled children, have received housing at federal expense.
Over 200 million roubles' worth of regional budget funding have been spent on construction of regional gas pipelines, accounting for 50% of planned annual expenses. An additional 3,200 apartments have received gas-supply networks, and 90.2 km of gas-distribution networks have been built.
In 2011, it was decided to allocate 312.5 million roubles' worth of regional budget funding for the improvement of municipal and rural communities. Improvement projects are implemented in 290 communities.
In January-September 2011, the Novosibirsk Region's foreign trade turnover had totaled $1,757,100,000, including exports: $851.8 million (48.5% of the trade turnover) and imports: $905.3 million (51.5% of the trade turnover). The trade turnover dwindled by 22.2% compared to the same period for 2010, with exports and imports falling by 30.6% and 12.2%, respectively. The foreign trade surplus totaled $117.8 million.
In January-August 2011, major enterprises spent 31.6 billion roubles' worth of fixed-capital investment on the region's economic and social development. This exceeded 2010 investment by 28.6%. Transport and communications accounted for the bulk of investment (25.8%) channeled into specific economic sectors. Real-estate, housing-lease operations and provision of services accounted for 16.4% of the investment, with manufacturing industries, financial operations, power generation and distribution, as well as gas-and-water production and distribution, receiving 14.8%, 8% and 7.6%, respectively.
From January-June 2011, the volume of direct foreign investment in the Novosibirsk Region's economy soared by 39% compared to the same period for 2010 and totaled $290.8 million.
The region ranks among other territories with average living standards. The social situation is marked by high growth rates of actual cash incomes of the population and low unemployment levels. The current situation is aggravated by the population's relatively low purchasing power.
From January-September 2011, actual available cash incomes of the population grew by 2.6% compared to the same period for 2010. Average per-capita cash incomes grew by 10.8% compared to the same period for 2010 and reached 17,233.3 roubles.
From January-September 2011, average monthly nominal salaries and wages of employees of regional enterprises and organisations reached an estimated 19,500 roubles, a 10.9% increase compared to the same period for 2010.
As of October 1, 2011, the region had 19,200 registered jobless persons. This is 6.8% less compared to October 1, 2010. As of October 1, 2011, registered jobless persons accounted for 1.3% of the region's economically active population. The relevant October 1, 2010 share was 1.5%.
From January-September 2011 the regional budget's revenues exceeded expenses by 4,672,000,000 roubles during the implementation of the regional budget. As compared to the budget's actual implementation in January-September 2010, regional budget's revenues increased by 9% overall and reached 5,281,000,000 roubles in absolute terms. Tax and non-tax revenues grew by 15.4% compared to the same period for 2010.
The Novosibirsk Region is a major scientific centre. It is home to the Siberian departments of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Academy of Agricultural Sciences and Academy of Medical Sciences, the State Research Centre of Virology and Bioengineering Vector, the Novosibirsk State University, academic universities and about 100 high-tech companies. They jointly chart the relevant scientific and technological-introduction base for mastering and introducing scientific inventions and implementing personnel-training programmes. The region has 104 scientific organisations. Of 21,600 specialists conducting R&D projects, 5,100 have DSc and Ph. D. degrees. A total of 25 colleges and universities (minus subsidiaries) train specialists with a higher education. The number of their students is 165,000.
The Novosibirsk Region, which is located in Russia's geographical centre where transport routes intersect, is a vital transport hub specialising in transit. The country's vital transport routes, including the Trans-Siberian Railway linking eastern and western Russia, the Ob River route linking the northern and southern regions, a railway linking Russia with Central Asia, trans-Siberian pipelines and federal motor roads are all located in the region. The Tolmachyovo airport linking Novosibirsk with Russian cities, as well as CIS and non-CIS countries, is also located here. Municipal public transport comprises buses, trolleybuses, streetcars, taxi cabs, shuttle buses and a metro network, the only one in Eastern Russia.
The Novosibirsk Region currently maintains foreign economic ties with partners from 97 countries. The main foreign economic partners are Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Bulgaria, China, Germany, Uzbekistan, Slovenia, the United States, France, the Republic of Korea and others.