The international portal Investment Monitor compiled a rating of special economic zones around the world, which evaluated the strategies of sustainable development of SEZs and the effectiveness of support measures in the context of the global crisis.
The main purpose of the rating was to note the experience of the advanced special economic zones in adapting to new realities, in their ability to retain existing investors and attract new investments, to create new formats of client support. The second important aspect for the expert jury was socially-oriented projects and initiatives in special economic zones.
As a result, the SEZ "Lipetsk" received an honorable mention in the nomination of "Local Impact", as well as in the nomination of "Editor's Choice Awards" in the category of "Community Support".
Special Industrial Economic Zone "Lipetsk" has been operating for 15 years, being one of the oldest economic zones in Russia. Today there are 67 residents, mostly with foreign capital. In 2020 seven new companies became residents of SEZ "Lipetsk": Bayer, LLC "ASK", LLC "August Logistics", LLC "TKK", Unionsped, LLC "Logistics Service", LLC "KipAgro" with a total investment of over 4.7 billion rubles.
Not a single enterprise stopped its production in 2020. At the peak of the crisis situation in the SEZ "Lipetsk" a system of specialized work permits was organized with the condition of compliance with all sanitary norms. Systematic work was carried out to develop inside the regional demand for the resident companies' products, which allowed investors to discover new market niches and sales opportunities.
During the pandemic investors were offered specialized support packages: preferential loans, subsidy programs, programs to increase productivity, re-equipment, leasing, export transaction support.
In 2020 a number of SEZ residents started expanding their production facilities: LLC "LWM RUS" for 13 billion rubles, LLC "Fondital" for 700 million rubles, LLC "SEST-LUVE" for 90 million rubles.
Residents made a special contribution to the fight against the pandemic in the Lipetsk region through charitable and social projects: such as sponsorship for local schools and children's development centers, new sports facilities, donation of personal protective equipment and medicines to medical institutions in Lipetsk, to the regional covid fighting fund, and assistance in equipping ambulance stations.
The awarding ceremony will take place on October 6 at Barcelona New Economy Week and Barcelona Zona Franca. The ceremony will be hosted by the editor-in-chief of fDi Magazine and Investment Monitor, Ms. Courtney Fingar.
