OREANDA-NEWS. This year's "Sochi 2014" investment forum was the venue for the signing of a three-year (2015-17) partnership agreement between the government of the Omsk Region and Gazprom Neft (the signatories to the document being the Chairman of Gazprom Neft's Management Board Alexander Dyukov and Governor of the Omsk Region Viktor Nazarov).

This comprehensive agreement outlines key priorities for cooperation between Gazprom Neft and the Government of the Omsk Region, directed at improving the investment climate, developing and supporting the region's potential in terms of industry, research and development, and the energy sector, and the fulfilment of major social initiatives. The agreement also envisages cooperation in ecological safety and security, and environmental protection.

The company continues to support its "Home Towns" corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative throughout the region, through which it continues to finance the construction of social infrastructure facilities, provides charitable support and sponsorships, participates in initiatives to support the refurbishment, renovation and re-equipment of educational and medical institutions, and supports cultural initiatives and children's and youth sport.

In recent years Gazprom Neft has built new sports facilities in the city of Omsk, and has also supported the reconstruction of the "Olymp" football stadium in Tara. Together with the regional (Oblast) government, the company plans to continue its support for local hockey club "Avangard", including through a special support programme for a local junior school, and through the broader development of hockey throughout the region. Gazprom Neft is also committed to continuing its support for the Alexander Schlemenko school for mixed martial arts, through which it is able to facilitate a range of social programmes for children and young people.

This year has also seen the introduction of competitive grant awards for projects initiated by local residents - a programme the company intends to further develop in 2015.

One of the company's long-term educational projects concerns the establishment of a foundation faculty for the training of specialists in oil technology within Omsk State Technical University. After completing their course, graduates are given the opportunity to work at the Gazprom Neft Omsk Oil Refinery, and within other oil refining enterprises within Gazprom Neft.

Gazprom Neft remains the most significant investor (and the most significant generator of tax revenues) in the Omsk Region. Forecasts indicate that growth in regional tax revenues will continue and are likely to exceed RUB7.3 billion. The company's total investments in the development of the region over the past seven years amount to RUB72 billion.