The Nizhny Novgorod Region secured 2nd place in the National Investment Climate Rating by the Agency for Strategic Initiatives

The Nizhny Novgorod Region has taken 2^nd place in the National Investment Climate Rating, compiled by the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI), for the third year in a row. The results of the 2025 rating were announced at a dedicated session of the 29^th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on June 5.

The rating has been compiled on the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin since 2014. Since 2025, “Boosting Investment Activity” has been one of the federal projects within the national project “Efficient and Competitive Economy”.

The importance of improving the investment climate was emphasized by Alexander Novak, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.

“Alongside labor productivity, the introduction of digital technologies, artificial intelligence, robotization and changes in the employment structure, the key issue for ensuring sustainable, balanced, long‑term economic growth is undoubtedly attracting investment. This must be a team effort involving business, the region and the federal authorities,” said Alexander Novak.

ASI CEO Svetlana Chupsheva reminded that the rating is compiled based on statistical data and surveys of entrepreneurs.

“The National Investment Rating for 2026 was compiled using 88 rating indicators, more than half a million entrepreneurs across all Russian regions were covered. The growth rate of the index slowed down for the first time since 2022. 49 regions improved their integral scores compared to the previous period this year. And 67% of the indicators out of 88 show positive dynamics,” she said.

Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Gleb Nikitin recalled that the region had been actively working to improve the business climate since 2017, and this had been reflected in the results of the National Rating: over this period, the Nizhny Novgorod Region had risen more than 60 positions in the ranking, taking one of the leading places in the country for the third year in a row.

“For us, the value of this rating lies in the fact that its main expert is the entrepreneur who makes investment decisions on a daily basis and interacts with the regional management system. We do not view the results of the National Rating as a formal indicator. It is an objective measure of the quality of the business environment. It allows us to see where administrative barriers have already been removed and where entrepreneurs are still waiting for faster and more convenient solutions fr om the authorities. We are constantly improving the rating indicators, striving to make the region a place wh ere businesses feel comfortable making long‑term plans,” said Gleb Nikitin.

The governor noted that by the end of 2025, the volume of investments in fixed assets amounted to 742.8 billion rubles, indicating that the Nizhny Novgorod Region remained promising in terms of the quality of the business environment, the speed of decision‑making, and the efficiency of interaction between the authorities and businesses.

“Our businesses are not just maintaining stability – they are ready to invest in their future in the region,” emphasized Gleb Nikitin.

According to Egor Polyakov, Deputy Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, everyone has to optimize processes in the current challenging economic environment, so competition for investors has become tougher, and investors themselves are being extremely cautious about launching new projects.

“It’s no secret that high key interest rates limit the opportunities for implementing new projects, so the development of territories with preferential tax regimes is becoming particularly important. Last year, we expanded the special economic zone “Kulibin” by approximately 120 hectares using riverside land in the city of Bor, and we are actively building infrastructure for a new industrial zone at the Dzerzhinsk site. We are also working on issues and looking for promising residents for several specialized technology parks,” said Egor Polyakov.

In turn, Artur Batursky, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, emphasized that digitalization of all processes is given enormous attention in efforts to improve the investment climate.

“Among the global services we are systematically refining and improving, we have the Investment Portal of the Nizhny Novgorod Region and the Investment Map, through which investors can sel ect a site for a project fr om home, learn about support measures and consult with specialists on project implementation. In addition, we are strengthening the digital framework for procedures related to urban planning documentation. For example, starting this year, investors have access in electronic form to services for amending master plans, land use and development regulations, as well as obtaining permits for conditionally permitted land use or capital construction projects,” said Artur Batursky.

For reference, the 29^th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is being held on June 3-6, 2026. SPIEF has been held annually since 1997, and since 2006 – under the patronage and with the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Over the years, the forum has become a leading global platform for dialogue among business representatives and for discussing key economic issues facing Russia, emerging markets and the world at large.