Samara region belongs to the group of most economically developed constituent entities of the Russian Federation. This region is characterized by diversified industry, local economic branches are ranging from agriculture and foodindustry to oil refining and automotive manufacture. Continuous expansion of economic specialization is promoted by geographic location, developed transportation infrastructure, own natura lresources, high labor and educational potential. The investment policy of the region, which attracts a growing number of Russian and foreign partners, contributes to market competitiveness of Samara region as well. The establishment of "Togliatti" industrialand production special economic zone in Stavropolsky district of Samara region serves as an extra impulse for the development of regional economics.
Samara region is situated in the South-Easternpart of European Russia, in the middle reaches of the European-biggest Volga River. Area of the region is 53.6 thousand km2, population is 3.2 mln. people.
In 2010 gross regional product of Samara regionequaled € 20.5 bln (forecast). A major part of it, 39%, accounts for industrial production.
Theregion follows consistent policy to establish most comfortable regional investment environment. The investment legislation of Samara region guarantees equal rights for all investors, promotes demolitionof administrative barriers, creates favorable tax regime andpreferences.
Investment attractiveness of the region is confirmed by the credit ratings of major consulting agencies. In June2011 the credit rating service of Standard & Poor’s changed the irforecasted ratings for Samara region from "Negative" to"Stable" and confirmed the following regional ratings:"BB+" long-term credit rating of the issuer and "ruAA+" rating according to the national scale.
Thanks to its potential, Samara region remains one of the most competitive and investment attractive constituent entities of the Russian Federation.
The region possesses a developed scientific and innovative potential,which is the most important factor of investment attractiveness.Samara region holds:
7th position among 83 constituent entities of the Russian Federation interms of the development of labor potential;
7th position in the Russian Federation and 2nd position in the Volga Federal District in terms of the number ofinvention claims.
Every sixth advanced production technology in the Volga Federal District and about 3.5% of all advanced technologies in the Russian Federation are developed in Samara region.
Samara region maintains barter business with more than 100 countriesof the world. Closest connections are with the companies from China,Germany, France, Finland, Netherlands, Italy, USA, Slovenia,Kazakhstan and other countries.
The basic competitive advantage of the regionis the developed infrastructure of transport and logistics, whichplays an important role for the implementation of the specialeconomic zone project.
Samara region has truly unique geographic position: it is located at the intersection of South-Northern and West-Eastern thruways. Thisensures access to the international "TRANSSIB" trafficcorridor. Essentially, we act as a "transit hub" of Volgaregion.
This is one of the most urbanized Russian regions,which accumulates 2.2% of the country population. Active workers account for 62% of the population. Over 80% live in cities and towns. Average age of the population in the region is 37 years.
The region possesses a substantial educative potential. There areabout 400 higher school students per 10 thousand residents, which isabove the Russian-average figure. There are about 100 thousand under graduate and over 1,500 postgraduate and Ph.D. students ofhigher educational establishments. It terms of educational level, Samara region is above the Russian-average level. Over 60% ofactively employed population of the region have higher orintermediate vocational education.
A wide network of professional educational establishments makes itpossible to use own recourses to prepare skilled professionals formany different fields, including innovative areas. There are 60 higher educational establishments in Samara region, including 29 maininstitutions and 31 branches.