The main indicator of the state policy which has recently been carried out in the North Caucasus is the socio-economic development of the NCFD, Lev Kuznetsov, Minister of the Russian Federation for the North Caucasus, stated, summing up results of the year for the region. “It seems that it was a long time ago when the Caucasus was on fire in the truest sense of the word, but today no one disputes that it is an integral part of our country, its history, its traditions, its culture, and it is important that everyone understands that the stability and socio-economic situation in the Caucasus predetermines and influences the general political processes in our country. On the agenda of the news, the Caucasus has passed a point of tension for the most part, it is beginning to revive its uniqueness, as it was destined by its nature, history, the way of life,” Kuznetsov stated.
In the 10 months of 2015, the North Caucasus has had a growth of industrial production of 104.9%, the same dynamics in agriculture – 102.5%, as well as positive dynamics in demographics. “In terms of demography fertility, we have occupied a leading position, but it is very important that we achieve a demographic increase in life expectancy, a reduction in mortality, including child mortality. There is the program of the socio-economic development of the North Caucasus, where the focus in the early years of its implementation has been placed on the financing and provision of the social infrastructure – these are educational facilities, healthcare facilities, housing and communal services, programs related to the relocation of residents from landslide zones,” the Minister said.
In the Caucasus, real industrial facilities began to appear this year. “Since 2017 key state investments will be made in the development of the real economy. I may be, I will say, a little ambitious, but in some areas – there are vegetables, fruit, corn, potatoes, we had a saying: 'Stop feeding the Caucasus', so we have formulated an objective for ourselves that the Caucasus will feed Russia,” Kuznetsov stated.
As for tourism, according to him, “currently there are no vacancies, unfortunately, in our resorts. Probably this is due to two reasons. On the one hand, it is confirmation that the resorts that we are developing in the Caucasus for the quality of infrastructure, primarily skiing, are competitive, and on the other hand, of course, for us this was a big challenge, that after creating a good ski infrastructure, for us it is critically important to increase supply, with decent service in the context of places of residence, in the context of the service sector, food and so on.”
On Sunday, the highest mountain-ski lift was opened on Elbrus at the level of 3847 m. “It is not because we wanted to be the best, but because there were objective historic reasons, conditions for building the infrastructure there, which would give an opportunity to develop mountain skiing and create economic and social conditions for modernization of Kabardino-Balkaria and the Caucasus in general,” the Minister said.
According to him, last year 1800 people was the peak load; there were queues, there were defined overlays. Now the first day this year there were 1900 people, and “it was calm in the best sense of the word.” The Minister says that “now our task is to transfer modern quality service and infrastructure to the valley. Only by showing the sequence of the government programs, standards that the government sets, even in this difficult time, we are now a good way toward creating the conditions, certain requirements for those investors who now work on Elbrus. The flow of tourists doubled last year, and 98% said they would like to return. We hope this dynamic will not change this year. And the most important thing in the tourism business is not how many people have come, but how many people want to return to the resorts of the North Caucasus.”
