Management of Astrakhan region development in conditions of digital economy formation

Digitalization of all spheres of the economy and social relations in the country sets the vector of changes in the management of regional economies. Having analyzed the most important directions for the domestic economy, enshrined in the national program Digital Economy of the Russian Federation, the absence of any significant references to the regions as subjects of the digital economy was revealed. It has been stated that for the effective transition to a digital economy the regions should independently develop and implement regional projects taking into account the risks of lagging behind, the potential of the region and available resources. There are considered the opportunities and threats for the regional economies during the transition to the digital economy. The analysis of the role of the state and regions in the formation of the digital economy is carried out. Examples of complex programs and concepts for the development of the digital economy in the regions of Russia are given, the main trends in the implementation of regional digital initiatives are listed. Structural changes in the economy are based on the internal technological and organizational modernization ensuring an increase in the efficiency of economic entities. The priority directions of digitalization of the most important industries and spheres for the Astrakhan region - agriculture, healthcare and city management - are substantiated. For the effective implementation of measures for the transition to the digital economy, it is proposed to create educational pools, taking into account the scientific and educational potential of the region. The formation of educational pools will increase the competitiveness of scientific institutions and educational organizations of region within the framework of training specialists in the above-mentioned industries and spheres.

The application of basin modeling of oil and gas systems for seismogeological projects for assessment of hydrocarbon potential and risks of exploration work

In this article, the methodology of basin modeling was systematized and the sequence of solutions to the applied problems related to the forecast of deposits of oil and gas was updated, and the applicability of basin modeling to traditional regional projects was evaluated.

Implementation of National Projects of the “Second Wave” in the Southern Regions of Russia Within Reference Points “Competitiveness, Sustainability, Security, Balance”: Economic and Political Analysis

Introduction. The study is devoted to the results of the implementation of regional projects by the federal entities of the Southern Federal District in 2019 within the reference points of competitiveness, sustainability, security, balance. Its peculiarity consists in the analysis of the interrelations between the achieved state of competitiveness, sustainability, security, balance, the level of socio-economic development in a particular region, the quality of the implementation of regional projects in the context of the specifics of the regional management system, the existing relations between authorities, economic entities, civil society institutions. At the same time, along with the quality of life, it is important to achieve political stability and security. Methodology and methods. The research methodology is based on the systemic paradigm of the relationship between the instruments of state regulation of regional development and the results of regional development within the reference points of competitiveness, sustainability, security, balance of regions, for which a database on the regional implementation of national projects was formed. In order to obtain quantitative characteristics, an integral scoring method of ranking with a correlation and regression analysis was applied. Analysis. The research showed that the higher the indicators of competitiveness, sustainability, security, balance, the better the quality of regional projects’ implementation. In turn, the reference points: competitiveness, sustainability, security, balance are higher in the regions with high values of gross regional product in general and per capita, as well as these federal entities have higher values of the achieved standard of living. Results. The correlation between efficiency level of territorial economic systems, assessed on the basis of indicators of competitiveness, sustainability, security, balance and the quality of the results of national projects’ implementation was studied, which made it possible to determine that the higher the level of regional development, the better national projects are realized. The idea is justified that the existing form of regional projects’ implementation becomes a factor not smoothing, but strengthening the territorial differentiation, since regions with a better level of development and large gross regional product values due to regional projects receive an additional stimulus for further changes. The conclusion about the limited character of the approach that connects the issues of territories mainly with the lack of financial resources is made. Significant role of the institutional factor of regional development, especially risk-oriented management, in the implementation of national projects is shown.

Creating models of integrated development of ecotourism in Russian protected areas

The topic of ecotourism is now more relevant than ever, both in Russia and around the world. Despite the existence of well-known world practices of creating a variety of ecotourism products and services compatible with the goals of conservation of natural territories, Russia still has a long way to go to turn ecotourism into alternative form of recreation that contributes to the environmental and socio-economic development in the Russian regions. The article discusses the methodological approaches, experiences, and results of the All-Russian competition organized to identify pilot ecotourism areas, where tourist and recreational clusters (TRCs) may be developed through implementation of the combined potential of nature protection areas and adjacent territories. The research database includes the competition documents and regional projects published on the website https://priroda.life. The paper presents the goals, objectives, stages and features of the competition, regional strategies for participation in the competition, and the best projects. Moreover, the study identifies the key challenges for the development of ecotourism in natural areas. It shows that the process of involving Russian protected areas (PAs) in ecotourism is more than one-step action, that requires a systematic approach to advancement of tourism-and-recreational clusters jointly with the development of natural and adjacent territories.

Investors will greet Saudi IPOs -- and look to Aramco

Significance Investor appetite for Saudi equities has been demonstrated in the huge over-subscription in the IPO of 20% of an internet affiliate of Saudi Telecom Company, which raised almost USD1bn. The Capital Market Authority has also approved Almunajem Foods Company’s request to sell 18 million shares, representing 30% of its capital. Impacts The proceeds of the recent stock market flotations will be used to invest in new domestic and regional projects and acquisitions. The increasingly dominant Public Investment Fund (PIF) would be able to boost its finances through a fresh sale of Aramco shares. Despite the benefits of higher oil prices, there remains a risk that the current surge will damage global energy demand.

Capital Facilities Construction As a Result of Proactive Measures of National Projects (The Case of the Southern Federal District)

The article examines the role of capital facilities in the course of implementation of national, federal and regional projects, assesses the significance of the construction of corresponding facilities for achieving the goals and indicators, studies the relationship between these constructions and individual social and economic indicators of administrative territorial units, as well as elements of regional projects. Open data from the unified portal of budgetary system of the Russian Federation, information on government contracts for the construction of capital facilities taken from the unified information system in the field of procurement and official statistics were used for the study. Due to the peculiarities of capital facilities (cost, scale, long period of operation), they have a direct and most tangible impact on the achievement of key goals, objectives and indicators set by regional projects, and are also highly valuable for citizens, what leads to long-term multiplicative social and economic effects. The authors analyzed the distribution of capital facilities by federal districts, as well as the regions of the Russian Federation within the Southern Federal District. The structure of capital facilities in the context of national projects was studied, and conclusions were made about a loose correlation between the indicators of the number of capital facilities and the volume of financial support for the corresponding regional projects due to significant differences in the cost of capital facilities, depending on the area under consideration. Some of the capital facilities planned for construction under regional projects, including the most expensive ones, are given, with special attention paid to capital facilities in the regions of southern Russia. A direct relationship between the number of capital facilities planned for construction and the population of the corresponding territory was established, which confirms the conclusion about the high social and economic significance of capital facilities and their potential to achieve the set strategic goals and development tasks of the country and its regions.

Research on Urban Area Development and Planning Based on the Vision of Financial Management

Objectives: In the current urban construction, the development planning of regional projects is not only a matter for the government, but also for many financing companies. Methods: Financial management is an important part of the entire regional development and planning process. This study made some suggestions for regional construction projects from the perspective of financial management, and on this basis, designed a financing plan for urban regional construction. Results: Finally, taking the development plan of the M industrial zone as an example, a comprehensive financing plan was determined based on the project’s financial situation and capital structure. Conclusion: It is hoped that this study can provide some suggestions for the financial management of urban area construction, and at the same time provide some reference for the financing scheme design of construction projects.

TRADE AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION BETWEEN CHINA AND KAZAKHSTAN: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS

The thirty years of Kazakhstan’s independence have been characterized by rapid growth of trade and economic cooperation with China, one of the world’s largest economies, which has steadily increased its presence in the region. Based on statistics published by the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China and the National Bank of Kazakhstan, legal and regulatory documents of the two countries and reports by international organizations, this article examines the specific features and further prospects of bilateral cooperation between China and Kazakhstan in the field of trade, investment, and energy, as well as in implementing integration projects. The authors have identified the main stages of interaction between the two countries, the problems they encounter, and the opportunities for trade and economic cooperation, which has developed rapidly since the turn of the century. Objectively, this process is mutually beneficial for both sides, especially in the sphere of energy, promotion of infrastructure projects, establishment of joint ventures, and other long-term plans. However, despite the positive dynamics of this process, the article identifies a number of negative phenomena in trade and economic relations. Overall, trade declined because of the drop in oil prices and the resultant weakening of Kazakhstan’s national currency tenge, since oil is the basis of the country’s exports. At the same time, when trade indicators began to improve after 2017, some negative phenomena were still in evidence. They were primarily due to the consequences of the pandemic, an increase in Sinophobia, and Kazakhstan’s participation in new regional projects, such as the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). In the authors’ opinion, investment specifics and trade asymmetry are the main areas where both parties should adjust their approaches in order to tap the full potential of cooperation in these sectors.

Financing the Implementation of National and Regional Projects: Problems and sustainable Development Directions

Regional projects and programs are intended to become the main mechanism for achieving national development goals in territorial entities. The aim of the article is to analyze the problems of project implementation and program approaches at the level of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, as well as to develop proposals for their development. The methodological basis of the study is the regulatory legal acts of the federal and regional levels, scientific (foreign and domestic) literature in the field of economics and public finance, official statistical information, empirical data regarding the results and progress of the implementation of regional projects and state programs of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. The author uses the method of system analysis. The article analyzes the conceptual foundations of project management in the public sector, foreign and domestic research on this issue, examples of program implementation abroad, establishes the role of regional projects and state programs in the budget system of the Russian Federation, their relationship, identifies the main problems of their financing, considers examples of direct implementation of projects and programs, and suggests directions for their development. In the course of the study, the distortion of the initially inherent meanings of the implementation of the project approach is proved, first of all, in determining the goal setting, providing sufficient mechanisms for its achievement and financing. It is established that the state programs at present actually represent documents of planning of budget appropriations in implicit interrelation with the main directions of activity of authorities. It is concluded that it is necessary to clarify the current project and program methodology, which will allow the regions not only to engage in the implementation of federal projects but also to initiate them according to the priorities of socio-economic policy and the characteristics of the region. The author also proposes to develop regional projects as financial institutions. For this, it is necessary to clarify the budget legislation to ensure the possibility of actual planning of expenditure obligations within the framework of the design of projects. The prospects for further research are to develop a model for evaluating the effectiveness of the design and implementation of regional projects and state programs, and its further testing on specific programs of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.