The Lower Angara as a Link Between Northern and Southern Siberia

ABSTRACT This article presents the results of an analysis of implemented projects in the Lower Angara region, the development of which has been discussed since 1935. Over the past decades, there have been difficulties with the implementation of these projects. This is associated with the emphasis on market criteria when evaluating many projects and the lack of a national-economic approach to assessing infrastructure projects. Due to the absence of a modern transport system, the competitiveness of the region’s resources has been greatly exaggerated. We propose that the new development strategy of such territories should focus not on the competitive advantages of the region when compared to other regions, but instead on their interactive and complementary cooperation in order to integrate their projects into Russia’s overall long-term development strategy. Unfortunately, the current commercial interests of companies and investors are overemphasized at the expense of Russia’s national interests.