Public-private partnership projects as a tool for infrastructure development in the Russian Far East

Abstract

The study examines the geography of public-private partnership (PPP) infrastructure projects in the Russian Far East and the main areas of infrastructure development in which this tool is used. Based on the data of the Rosinfra Platform, regional registers of PPP projects and other open data, the main areas of infrastructure in which projects are being implemented, as well as the volume of investments and major projects, were analyzed; differences in the structure of investments in PPP between the Far Eastern economic region and Russia are noted. It is shown that the share of the Far East in all-Russian investments in PPP projects is higher than its share in the population and economy, however, more than 2/3 of investments are concentrated mainly in three regions - the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Khabarovsk Krai and Sakhalin Oblast. Also, three groups of projects have been identified depending on the main purpose of their implementation, including PPP projects aimed at natural resource development, improving transport connectivity (both between the regions of the Far East and with other macro-regions of Russia and countries), and maintaining the standard of living of the population. It is noted that PPP projects are mainly used for the development of infrastructure aimed at achieving the last two goals. PPP mechanisms play the greatest role in the development of the Amur Region and the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), where they ensure the creation of strategically important bridge crossings.