The North Caucasus as a mirror of Russia’s revival – 2

Valeria Romashenko, exclusively to Vestnik Kavkaza

Predictable results

 

Alexander Khloponin received an uneasy legacy. In addition to terrorism, the region was facing serious economic problems. In spite of this, today the region's gross regional product is great than average in Russia. In 2011 GRP constituted 106.5 percent of the 2010 figure, in 2011 - 104.2 percent, in 2013 106.2 percent, while in Russia the figures were 104.3 percent, 103.4 percent and 106.2 percent respectively.

 

The strategic documents adopted by the regional authorities, such as the Strategy of the Social and Economic Development of the North Caucasus Federal District until 2025, produced its first results. Economic indexes show that. For instance, unemployment, which has been the region's most acute problem for the last several years, decreased from 14.9 to 12.5 percent. This means that some 90 thousand people found jobs. Industrial production increased by 7.4 percent, and what is even more important, this growth was achieved not by developing the raw materials market, but other fields of production.

 

The development of the North Caucasus tourist cluster project is one of the most promising programmes launched in the region. Construction in the Arkhyz resort started only in 2011, while this year it hosted its first guests. At the same time, the resorts in Mineralnyye Vody are working at 90-95 capacity. Moreover this is only the beginning of the development of the tourism sphere.

 

Of course one should take into consideration that the level of social and economic development of the North Caucasus is still lower than in average Russian regions. For example, 18 thousand school children are studying in the third session and there are long waiting lists for kindergartens.

 

This is why the federal authorities demand that regional officials should stick to the president's decrees issued in May 2012 and a new programme for the economic development of the Southern part of Russia was drafted. It is believed that the development of the social infrastructure, together with enhanced efficiency of the economy and transparency of the labour market, will secure stabilization in the region.

 

Even European bodies admitted that the economic situation in the region has changed for the better and cancelled a humanitarian programme in the North Caucasus. Of course, these changes were caused among other things by these very programmes as well. Still, it is clear that the support provided by the federal authorities played a crucial role in this process.

 

In one line

The main result of the presidential envoy's efforts is not the positive changes in everyday life, but something perhaps less tangible, but even more important -  the feeling of unity with the rest of the country.

 

Within these four years the Caucasus became a natural part of Russia rather than an artificial and problematic region. Of course the region is still facing many problems, but it is no longer alienated. On the contrary, it is a part of the unfolding processes which affect the whole country.

 

It is clear that all the problems the region has faced in the past still remain. Within such a short period it is very hard to resolve all of them, to meet the standards of the other regions of the country, which have never experienced such difficulties. However, today these problems seem less dramatic and they are resolved in the same way as in any other part of Russia. It is a great achievement of the regional authorities. It seems like now they are able to deal with any problems.