Governor of the Leningrad Region Alexander Drozdenko told Lenta.ru in an interview on the sidelines of SPIEF about the region’s industry and tourism development.
“Lenta.ru”: The Leningrad region remains one of the key industrial regions of the north-west of Russia – with ports, petrochemicals, logistics, construction materials, and the food industry. Which sectors are giving the region the main growth today, and which do you consider to be the next points of development?
Alexander Drozdenko: The agro-industrial complex provides us with stable growth. In terms of production volume, for example, in 2025 – plus 60 billion, and in addition to what we achieved in 2024 (it was 500 billion), the volume of production is now already 600 billion, and we see that this process cannot be stopped.
The agglomeration of St. Petersburg, the Leningrad region, is a large consumer of products, and the level is such that people want fresh, high-quality, environmentally friendly products, this is what the Leningrad region can provide. And it is no coincidence that even today we have already signed several agreements aimed at developing agriculture.
In addition, the production of coke, mineral fertilizers, environmentally complex mineral fertilizers and related products. We are a region that is one of the world leaders in the export of mineral fertilizers.
Mechanical engineering is developing. As well as pharmacology, clothing and footwear production. We are doing well in everything related to the production of building materials. In the northwest, everything related to the construction industry is in demand. Therefore, here we see prospects for development and growth.
For us, another new industry will be modern technology.
At the same time, not only the production of chips, but everything related to a software product or hardware for artificial intelligence.
At the 2026 SPIEF we wanted to conclude agreements worth more than 300 billion so that investments would continue to flow into the region.
If we talk about restrictions on growth, the economic situation in the world is currently generally difficult, what is the main limitation on the growth of industrial enterprises?
Everyone who came to our stand today and signed an agreement with us are heroes. In these difficult times, attracting investment in production development at such rates, conditions, changes in the tax code is a great feat.
Today, to attract investment and development, the main thing will remain the financial situation in the country as a whole, and not only the financial situation, but the rules of the game in the market: the interest rate, the national currency exchange rate, changes in tax legislation, customs duties and much, much more.
We see that in certain areas where we expected growth, there is no growth yet. This is due to the import of products from other countries at attractive prices. Often, even the cost of production at some of our enterprises becomes equal to the cost of sale. It is very difficult to compete, and apparently we need to look around and look at the rules of the game and the concept of exchange rate stability, and whether such a tough course is necessary.
We do not have enough workers in the region: the total deficit is 126 thousand, permanent skilled workers – 56 thousand
It is no coincidence that the majority of enterprises that plan to develop in the Leningrad region have entered into cooperation with us to create a closed cycle “Production Training School”.
It is necessary to train personnel starting from school age. Because there is a shortage of personnel and the beginning of a wage race. And this means an increase in costs and a loss of attractiveness for locating a specific production or investment in the region.
Is infrastructure keeping pace with industrial development?
It is very important that the infrastructure, including tourism, keeps pace with the development of industry. The first thing we are improving right now is the road network. For the development of the same tourism business, logistics and accommodation facilities are very important.
And in some areas we are good with this, but there are wonderful ecologically clean areas where there is neither the first nor the second. Or rather, there are roads, but not yet of the quality that is needed. There are accommodation facilities, but they are very few.
At the same time, we are developing large infrastructure projects, including with energy companies
This is the construction of new power lines and substations. We have a subsidized investment program. And we plan to build substations and extend the network exactly where business development is expected.
The most correct option is a technology park, an industrial zone, where we will already provide communications.
What is happening now in the field of tourism development? What are the prospects? Taking into account the safety of what is happening.
We must identify points of growth and move in this direction. Together with business, attracting money from large companies.
There is a growing interest in investing in the tourism business of the Leningrad region, and this is quite a serious investment
At the same time, it is important to find a balance of interests, not to chase after a large investor in the tourism sector, risking being left without the support of small and medium-sized businesses. They should also have a niche.
There is interest in the tourism industry. For example, not long ago we talked about Vyborg. We tried to solve the problem of delivering tourists there with restoration, logistics, roads, and railway connections. Decided. In 2012 there were 125 thousand tourists, and this year there are already nearly 2 million. New challenge: where to feed and place them.
In Vyborg, several projects are beginning to be implemented. In two or three years the situation will look better. It’s all interconnected, everything needs to be sewn together so that it moves in parallel. But this is in an ideal world. But that doesn’t happen.
Source: Lenta