Kemerovo Oblast: Old Problems and New Future

ABSTRACT This article describes the strategic position of Kemerovo Oblast in the Russian economy and within the context of a new strategic planning framework. An assessment is given of the previous regional strategy, which extended through to 2025. Kemerovo Oblast is no longer a regional leader and faces strategic risks due to economic reversal and the reduction of human capital. The oblast must make fundamental, strategic decisions to achieve sustainable economic development. The article details the objectives of the “Strategy for the Socio-Economic Development of Kemerovo Oblast until 2035,” and considers how it relates to the region’s development goals and how it forecasts key socioeconomic indicators. Several development trajectories are evaluated, and the benefits and risks of the Strategy are assessed. A description is given of the key innovative drivers of the region’s economic and social development, including new industrialization, international tourism, health care provision, and the use of digital technologies in the agro-industrial complex.