Omsk Valisi Hotşenko, Başkan’a Tarımda Büyüme Sanayide Daralma Verilerini Sundu

Meeting with Governor of the Omsk Region Vitaly Khotsenko

At the end of the working trip to the Omsk Region, the President held a working meeting with Governor Vitaly Khotsenko. The President and the Governor discussed the region’s socioeconomic development. Vitaly Khotsenko reported that the region’s GRP had grown by 1.3 percent in 2025. Agricultural production has grown by around six percent; however, there is a slight decrease of 1.5 percent in industrial production due to changes in certain sectors of petrochemistry and oil processing. Measures are being taken to reach last year’s indicators before the end of the year. As regards large projects, despite economic challenges, a graphite electrode plant is currently under construction, with the project worth 100 billion rubles. The construction of an oversised tyre plant (60 billion rubles) has been launched by the Ural Mining and Metallurgical Company (UGMK) and its Chinese partners. A ring road around Omsk – an extension of the Rossiya motorway – is under construction. The Omsk-Fyodorovka Airport project has entered the practical implementation stage. Retail turnover has grown by ten percent. The scope of paid services is also on the rise. As regards support for special military operation veterans, the Governor noted that the region currently offers 44 types of support measures. Humanitarian convoys are sent to the zone of the special military operation and the border regions. More than 4,000 tonnes have been delivered since the launch of the operation. A new military veteran hospital has been built while the old hospital has been renovated. The first veteran rehabilitation centre in the Trans-Urals has opened to provide prosthetics services. A new surgical department of a large local surgical centre is about to open. The department will be the most advanced facility of its kind in Russia. A multi-purpose centre for adaptive sports is in development. The President noted the importance of employment opportunities for frontline veterans. Vitaly Khotsenko replied that local enterprises have allocated employment quotas for veterans. Vitaly Khotsenko thanked the President for the Executive Order on the 400th anniversary of the Omsk Irtysh Land’s exploration by Russia and presented President Putin with souvenirs: coins discovered by archaeologists that date back to the reign of Tsar Michael I of Russia, who signed the tsar's decree in 1628, as well as pottery items. Governor Khotsenko raised what he described as a sensitive issue: the unfinished metro system. Constructed between 2001 and 2015, it is currently 35 percent complete, with significant federal and regional funds already invested. A metro bridge is in place, with only the track-laying remaining; one station has been built, and five tunnels have been excavated. The governor proposed integrating this infrastructure into the existing tram network to create a metro-tram system. He requested support to have the project included in the federal register of unfinished construction projects and to commence design work, as well as to have it added to the programme planned by the organising committee for marking the 400th anniversary of the development of the Russian Irtysh region. Waste management reform was another key topic. All four large landfills dating from the mid-20th century have been reclaimed, but no new facilities have yet been created – only temporary sites are currently in use. Two concession agreements have been signed, and a further facility, worth an estimated 13 billion rubles, still needs to be built. The governor sought support for including this work in the action plan for the 400th anniversary celebrations of the Omsk Irtysh region as well. In response to a question from Vladimir Putin on emissions, Vitaly Khotsenko reported a significant improvement. Omsk had participated in the Clean Air project, and much had been achieved by local companies during this period. For example, an oil refinery has built the “Biosphere” – a major water treatment facility that purifies process water within a closed-loop system for reuse. Over 5,000 households have switched from solid fuel to gas, and a substantial number of gas-powered buses have been purchased. The governor also raised the issue of greenhouse complexes covering 120 hectares, owned by two large holdings. All support measures have already been approved for a 20-hectare facility operated by the Rost company, which is due to open this year. For the remaining 100 hectares, decisions on land and electricity supply have been finalised, and the President earlier instructed the Government to provide subsidised loans. One final hurdle remains: the region is gas-deficient. Mr Khotsenko asked the President to instruct the Government and Gazprom to explore the possibility of securing the necessary gas limits for the region. Another matter concerned treasury loans for infrastructure development. The region is seeking funding to develop infrastructure for the Avangard special economic zone, including gas, electricity and road connections. The President pledged his support. When the President noted that issues relating to defrauded equity holders in construction projects had not yet been fully resolved, Mr Khotsenko confirmed that work is ongoing. During his three and a half years at the helm of the region, the number of problematic projects has fallen from over 30 to eight, with specific roadmaps now in place for each unfinished building. Mr Putin emphasised that there is no room for complacency until all those affected are satisfied with the outcomes.