Siberia is the route to the future, says the PM

His commitment came in advance of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Vientiane, Laos.

'In the coming years and decades, Russia faces a major historic task - ensuring the rapid modernisation of its economy based on the harmonious development of its regions', he wrote in an article published in outlets across Asia. 

'We will give priority to Siberia and the Far East. First, because previously we did not have enough resources to ensure the full development of those parts of the country. 

'Second, given that the global economy~s focus is shifting east, Russia simply must be more active in the Asia-Pacific region. That region is becoming the centre of global economic growth, generating about 55 per cent of global GDP and nearly half of global trade.'

He repeated a commitment that Russia will exploit its transport potential as a bridge between Europe and Asia. 

'Our country, which occupies about a third of the Eurasian continent, has huge and as yet underdeveloped transport and transit opportunities,' he said.

Much more can be done to take advantage of Russian assets, he said, including 'the Trans-Siberian and Baikal-Amur railway lines, ports in all oceanic basins, as well as a network of air transport lines and airports that provide shorter routes for transporting goods and correspond with major freight traffic flows. 

'Economic modernisation and liberalisation can result in a significant increase in freight traffic - by at least 15 per cent - between Europe and Asia as well as between Europe, Asia and America. 

'The Trans-Siberian railway is capable of carrying up to 100 million tonnes per year, and this will be the shortest route. Specialised freight trains travel from Nakhodka to Russia's western borders in nine days, and can reach western Europe in two weeks. Meanwhile, goods take 35 days to travel by sea from various Asian-Pacific ports to Hamburg or Antwerp.'

He stressed: 'The development of the Northern Sea Route, which is two times shorter than the current route from Europe to eastern Asia through the Indian Ocean, presents us with many promising opportunities. 

'Despite all the associated difficulties, it costs 30 per cent less to ship goods through the Arctic Ocean than through the Indian Ocean. 

'Air transport will play a qualitatively new role. Using Russian airspace and Siberia's (current and planned) network of airports will be beneficial for all parties, as it will be cheaper to use medium-range aircraft and have them refuel in Russia. This applies first and foremost to flights from Europe to East Asia.'