Crimea Finally Achieves Self-Sufficiency! Huge Russian Investment Turns Back Years of Neglect!

In the five years of being a part of Russia, Crimea has made a breakthrough. This is how Sergey Aksyonov, the head of the region, assessed the social and economic development of Crimea at the meeting with Vladimir Putin. In many areas of agriculture, the republic has reached self-sufficiency, which never happened when it was a part of Ukraine.

In the five years of being a part of Russia, Crimea has made a breakthrough. This is how Sergey Aksyonov, the head of the region, assessed the social and economic development of Crimea at the meeting with Vladimir Putin. In many areas of agriculture, the republic has reached self-sufficiency, which never happened when it was a part of Ukraine. Thanks to the new power plants, the peninsula is provided with its own power, and the Crimean Bridge provided a colossal inflow of tourists. However, there are also some problems. The president discussed them today in detail with the heads of Crimea and Sevastopol.

 

Sergey Aksyonov brought good news to report to the president.

Sergey Aksyonov, Head of Crimea: "Dear Mr. Putin, we're doing well indeed".

Vladimir Putin: "I know that you work efficiently. Let's discuss the current issues".

It's hot in Crimea now, and this isn't only about the weather. It's high season now. The beaсhes are crowded, hotels and health spas are almost totally booked. The peninsula expects to receive almost seven million tourists this year. Those traveling by plane arrive in Aivazovsky, which is the new airport. Tourists also travel by car over the grandiose Crimean Bridge. Soon, it'll become even easier to get to the resort.

Vladimir Putin: "What can you say about the work on Tavrida Highway?"

Sergey Aksyonov, Head of Crimea: "Tavrida Highway is now 74% ready. The work will be completed in 2020".

While the federal highway is being built, regional roads are being actively repaired. Over the course of five years, 590 miles of roads were repaired. They're installing streetlights along the road. There are becoming more lighted roads in Crimea after two high-output power plants — Balaklavskaya and Tavricheskaya were put into operation.

Sergey Aksyonov, Head of Crimea: "Their capacities and the power bridge allow us to get up to 1,800 MW".

Vladimir Putin:  "1,800. And how much is consumed?"

Sergey Aksyonov, Head of Crimea: "Peak consumption is now 1,100".

The more power is consumed, the more revenue the budget receives. If in 2014, it was just 18 billion rubles; now, it's three times as much. And that isn't just a statistic. The region now has enough money to build new schools and kindergartens and to repair the existing facilities. They're also going to open the biggest medical center in Crimea.

Vladimir Putin: "When will the multi-field hospital be opened?"

Sergey Aksyonov, Head of Crimea: "We'll open it this year. It'll have 734 in-patient beds. Thanks to your personal support, all of the works and services are acting in-step with each other. There's no risk that we'll fail to put it into operation on time".

The president discussed the development of Sevastopol with its acting governor, Mikhail Razvozhaev.

Vladimir Putin: "You've been working here for a month already. Sevastopol is a very complex and important city for Crimea and the entire country. There's much work to be done here. What are your first impressions?"

Mikhail Razvozhaev, Acting Governor of Crimea: "The situation is complex. First of all, it's connected with the implementation of the federal target program. As you said, the state invests huge amounts of money".

First, they discussed the main indicators. The well-being of the population is growing. The unemployment rate is one of the lowest in the country. Specialists such as teachers, doctors, and tutors go to Sevastopol from all over Russia. But the region still lacks housing.

Mikhail Razvozhaev, Acting Governor of Crimea: "I think that without a separate state program for Sevastopol, we won't manage to deal with it, using common tools".

Vladimir Putin: "How much do you assess this program to cost?"

Mikhail Razvozhaev, Acting Governor of Crimea: "We calculated that to remedy the situation, we need to build about three million square feet. That would be about 12.2 billion rubles".

Razvozhaev learned about this problem from Sevastopol residents who wrote to him on social media. He instantly reacts to the messages on the internet. Thus, he has many issues solved promptly. But the local authorities should cooperate to do it.

Vladimir Putin: "You're an experienced man. You've shown good results in a number of Russian regions. You also have experience with work at the federal level. Sevastopol still has particular significance for the country. It has a lot of its own unique features. I'd like you to use your own experience and rely on the people who know the region and the city well, including deputies, and work in close cooperation with them for the benefit of the people living here, to achieve our common goals to develop the country as a whole and this strategically important region".

When the railroad part of the Crimean Bridge is put into operation, it'll be a boost to the development of the Crimean peninsula. The first passenger and freight trains will be launched this December.

Olga Armyakova, Konstantin Morozov, Stanislav Khalitov, Dmitry Khrustalyov, and Maria Samsonova for Vesti.