Russian-Finnish techno-parks
Regional authorities in Murmansk say they want the establishment of joint Russian-Finnish industrial zones along the two countries‘ border. Stringent border regulations from the FSB might however put a stop to the plans.
On several occasions, the Murmansk adminstration have expressed interest in the establishment of a technology park in the town of Alakurtti close to the border to Finland. Now, Finnish authorities and business are interested in the idea, B-port.com reports.
A Russian working group headed by Deputy Governor Valerii Talichkin has been established to follow up the initiative. Also Finnish authorities have allocated funding for further studies of the idea, regional media recently reported.
However, the establishment of the joint industrial zones will be far easier said that done. Among the obstabcles are the stringent border regulations from the FSB, making initiatives in the 25 km Russian border zone a complicated bureaucractic issue. A more flexible approach from the Russian security service is believed to be a prerogative for the cross-border initiatives.
Also the border town of Kostomuksha located in the Republic of Karelia is seen as a suited place for a joint Russian-Finnish industrial zone. Meanwhile, Norwegian authorities continue to work for the establishment of a joint economic zone in the Kirkenes-Pechenga area along the Barents Sea coast.
