Key companies no longer ”strategical”
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has signed a decree which will deprive 452 state-controlled companies their status as “strategic”. Among them are a number of key companies in Murmansk and Arkhangelsk Oblasts.
According to the decree, among the companies are several important infrastructure objects in both Murmansk Oblast and Arkhangelsk Oblast. Both regions’ main airports, several shipping companies, as well as shipyards and oil and gas-related industry will get downgraded status.
A press release from the President’s office underlines that the new status of the companies does not necessarily mean that they will be privatized. In a number of cases, the state is likely to keep a firm hand of control. However, the decree is expected to facilitate increased investments and independence in the companies.
The companies deprived status as “strategic” in Murmansk and Arkhangelsk Oblast are:
The Arkhangelsk River Port, Arkhangelsk Airport, Arctic Sea Engineering-Geological Expeditions (Murmansk), the Murmansk Airport (Murmashi), the Polar Star plant in Severodvinsk (Arkhangelsk Oblast), Murmansk Commercial Sea Port, Murmansk Shipping company, the Northern River Company (Arkhangelsk)
