The Russian Government has approved the expansion of SEZ «Kulibin» in the Nizhny Novgorod Region

The Interdepartmental Working Group on the establishment and development of special economic zones, headed by Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak, has approved the expansion of special economic zone (SEZ) «Kulibin» in the Nizhny Novgorod Region. In addition to production facilities, a river port is planned to be created there. A decree on the territory expansion has already been prepared.

SEZ «Kulibin» will incorporate a site in the city of Bor with a total area of 117.7 ha. As a result, the total area of SEZ «Kulibin» will reach 842 hectares, representing an increase of over 15 %. Ten companies operating in metalworking, logistics, and the agro‑industrial sector have signed letters of intent to implement investment projects on this territory.

«The distinguishing feature of the Bor site will be a multimodal port. We expect it to significantly increase river freight volumes and enable Nizhny Novgorod companies to access international markets via the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea basin. The Nizhny Novgorod Regional Government is systematically working to create favorable conditions for investors, so we will consider other territories for SEZ establishment if necessary», – emphasized Gleb Nikitin, Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region.

Gleb Nikitin noted that the Nizhny Novgorod Region currently ranks second after the capital in the National Investment Climate Rating compiled by the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, and the decision to expand the SEZ territory is an important step in strengthening the region’s position.

«The Expert Council for the Development of SEZ «Kulibin» has so far approved 49 projects in Dzerzhinsk. A significant portion of the site is already occupied, so the decision to expand was made to meet investor demand. Pre‑design work on the new site’s infrastructure is currently underway. The Bor site will enjoy the same preferential conditions as the Dzerzhinsk site», – said Andrey Sanosyan, Deputy Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region.

Deputy Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Egor Polyakov highlighted the significance of this decision for the region’s economy.

«Implementing the project will create a multiplier effect: it will localize new export‑oriented production facilities in the region, give additional impetus to shipbuilding development, and provide regional enterprises with access to alternative modes of transporting raw materials and finished goods. Expanding SEZ «Kulibin» territory and establishing new production facilities on the Bor site will be an important step in the economic development of both the urban district and the region as a whole», — stressed Yegor Polyakov.

The managing company of the SEZ «Kulibin» is the Nizhny Novgorod Region Development Corporation.

«There are still undistributed areas on the territory to be included in the SEZ, so we expect an increase in the number of potential residents. As the managing company, the Development Corporation will make every effort to create the same favorable conditions in Bor for locating advanced production facilities across various sectors as exist at the Dzerzhinsk site», – said Igor Ishchenko, Director General of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Development Corporation.

The multimodal port project is being overseen by the Nizhny Novgorod Regional Ministry of Economic Development and Investments and the Regional Development Corporation.