Dmitriyenko asked Putin to support economic free zone

- My request to you is to optimize development of the Murmansk Transport Hub by deciding to give Port of Murmansk status as economic free zone, Governor Dmitriyenko told Prime Minister Putin in a meeting Sochi today, RIA Novosti reports.

Dmitrieynko told the Mr. Putin that the idea of an economic free zone in Murmansk is supported by the Ministry for Economic Development, “as long as it does not mean expenses for the federal budget”.

The metallurgical industry is a possible new partner in the Murmansk Transport Hub, the governor told the prime minister. A new port terminal for their products will open up new markets for the regional metallurgical companies, since they will be able to send shiploads on 300.000 tons of iron-ore concentrate.

The question of establishing an economic free zone in Port of Murmansk and speeding up the project on development of the Murmansk transport hub were amongst the first priorities Dmitriyenko mentioned when he was appointed to Acting Governor in March this year, BarentsObserver then wrote.

In his discussion with the prime minister, Governor Dmitriyenko also raised the issue of unemployment, Interfax reports. The unemployment rate in Murmansk Oblast was on its highest in May, with 3.3 percent. The level now is 2.7 percent, he said.

As BarentsObserver reported, President Dmitry Medvedev last week gave several Russian regions, including Murmansk Oblast a reprimand for not taking anti-crisis programs against unemployment serious enough.

See video from the meeting between Putin and Dmitriyenko at Zvezdanews.ru