OREANDA-NEWS. December 23, 2011. Implementation of many investment projects in Karelia will continue next year. Director General of The Corporation for Development of the Republic of Karelia Inc. Andrei Smirnov has informed on it at the briefing session in the Government of the republic.

The greatest attention, he has noted, will be paid to the project of Spiritual Transformation of the Russian North presented within the Ist Karelian international forum Investments in the Future held in Petrozavodsk in November. The project approved by the President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev and His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, is aimed at preservation and building value of the Orthodox and cultural traditions of the Russian North on the basis of spiritual riches of three great islands of Valaam, Kizhi and Solovki, development of spiritual pilgrimage and cultural tourism in the republic.

As Andrei Smirnov has informed, now the project is included in the Federal target program of Development of Domestic and Incoming Tourism in the Russian Federation in 2012-2013 and in other programs. It will allow to receive financial support from the federal budget for its implementation.

The second project is construction of a sports and tourist complex in Yalguba is close to completion. Project documentation on it was prepared and upon carrying out of examination necessary in such cases it will be also included in the Federal program of of Development of Domestic and Incoming Tourism. The project includes arrangement of the Alpine skiing slope, construction of a hotel complex, a service center and a funicular.

Another project to be included in the corresponding federal programs is development of the territory in the area of Martsialnye Vody (Marcial Waters) settlement and a sanatorium with the same name. It will be launched next year with development of the project documentation.

The Corporation for Development of the Republic of Karelia and the State Committee of the RK for Youth, Physical Training, Sports and Tourism of the RK have managed to involve additional means in the republic. Karelia will receive funds from the federal budget to build new sports facilities, including a skiing and biathlon center in Kostomuksha, a roofed skating rink and a health and fitness complex with a swimming pool in Petrozavodsk, as well as three football fields in regions of the republic.

Among the continuing projects there is construction of a water tourist center in Petrozavodsk, development of a transport and logistic company PromNerudTrans engaged in organization of export of the Karelian road metal, development and introduction of a universal electronic map of the Republic of Karelia. Among the new projects to be introduced in 2012 there are construction of affordable housing in Kostomuksha, development of peat deposits and construction of a thermal power station in territory of Kostomuksha urban district.

Besides, Andrei Smirnov has noted, conduct of the international investment forum in Karelia has given an essential stimulus to expansion of contacts to investors. Currently, he said, the republic has solid chances to gain support of its application concerning creation of a special tourist and recreational economic zone within its territory that will allow to grant tax remissions at construction of social and sports objects to investors coming to Karelia.