The Crimean authorities predict that this year the Kerch ferry services will be used by up to 6 million passengers. As the head of Crimea Sergey Aksenov stated during a Moscow-Simferopol video conference titled 'Two years of reunification of Crimea with Russia', the waiting times of ferries will not exceed last year's figures: "Last year the ferry service transported 4.8 million passengers. We beat records every year, figures are increasing exponentially. This year we expect up to 6 million passengers on the Kerch ferry route. 10 ferries operate constantly, so there will be no delays. I am sure that, with maximum loads, the maximum waiting time will not be more than 3 to 3.5 hours. Last year demonstrated this." Aksenov stressed that the construction of the bridge across the Kerch Strait won't hinder the movement of ships: "The construction of the bridge definitely won't create any disturbances. The bridge is being built according to the approved project, and won't hinder shipping in the Strait. "
In addition, according to the head of Crimea, after putting the second stage of the electricity bridge into operation, all the peninsula's resorts are supplied with sufficient electricity. "All the coastal villages that tourists love so much are fully provided with electricity. Resort visitors will not face the problem of blackouts in the summer months and will be able to spend their vacations in quite comfortable conditions. We will monitor the prices for accommodation and meals in Krasnodar Territory and the Rostov region, and take strict measures against those who wish to further 'make a profit' from visitors of Crimea," Aksenov stated.
According to him, a gas pipeline from Krasnodar Territory to Crimea with a capacity of up to 4 billion cubic meters per year will be launched before the end of December 2016. Launching at full capacity is planned for September 2017. The gas pipeline will provide the basic power stations in Simferopol and Sevastopol with fuel. They are also scheduled to be commissioned by 2018.
At the end of December 2014 the government of Crimea approved the state program for the promotion of employment of the population of the Republic of Crimea for 2015-2017. The total funding of the program was 245.8 million rubles, funds are distributed equally over three years. Today, according to Aksenov, Crimea has reached its lowest level of unemployment for several decades. "We have an unemployment rate of 0.8%. In other words, generally the lowest for the period of Crimea being a part of Ukraine, and for the previous periods. That is, today we have almost no problems. The employment center has almost no queues."
"Today, Crimeans have found jobs. Maybe not everyone is feeling comfortable right now, and not everyone, as they say, is satisfied with their work, but nevertheless, I'll say it again, there is no unemployment today on the territory of the Crimean peninsula," Aksenov said.
Meanwhile, according to the head of Crimea, "good specialists are in demand here, including in the field of IT technologies. Unfortunately, you can see it, the sanctions regime prevents some people from applying their efforts directly on the territory of the Republic of Crimea. We invite everyone, as well as foreign specialists, we will be glad to see people who want to be of use to our country, to realize themselves in this case, we are ready to provide maximum assistance, will be grateful for any help, including methodical. And I am ready to personally meet anyone who wishes to build business and relations in the Republic of Crimea. Welcome, and on your recommendation. We can find options, maybe not direct ones. In other words, I mean the opening of a legal entity outside the territory of the republic, somewhere in the Russian Federation, but with the ability to conduct business on the territory of the Republic of Crimea."
