According to the Governor, the Amur Region has doubled its gross regional product over the past five years, reaching 1.1 trillion rubles. The region has also delivered strong results in agriculture: in 2025, it achieved a record grain harvest of 2.2 million tonnes and a record soybean harvest of 1.7 million tonnes.
According to Vasily Orlov, for the past six years, the region has maintained a ban on the use of foreign labour – a practice unique within the Russian Federation.
At present, 64 new projects are underway in the Amur Region, with a total capital investment of 2.4 trillion rubles. These initiatives are expected to create an additional 18,000 jobs.
According to the Governor, a key priority is expanding the processing of agricultural products. The Sodruzhestvo Group of Companies is constructing an oil extraction plant with an annual processing capacity of one million tonnes. “Taking into account the existing 500,000 tonnes of processing capacity, the total processing capacity of 1.5 million tonnes will allow us to process all soybeans and other oilseeds domestically – not only soybeans, but in the future rapeseed and common flax as well, which are currently not cultivated due to limited demand,” Vasily Orlov said.
The region is also achieving strong results in livestock breeding: four major dairy complexes have already been commissioned, and an additional facility designed for 1,800 cattle is currently under construction.
The Governor further highlighted progress in road infrastructure. “For the second year in a row, we have received a federal government award from Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin. We are the only region in the Far Eastern Federal District to be honoured with this distinction for achievements in road construction,” he stated.
The Amur Region Governor noted that construction activity in the region is showing positive dynamics. Residential construction declined by 415,000 square metres; however, in 2024, a record 500,000 square metres of housing was completed.
The Governor also provided a detailed update on energy development projects. “We currently have three alternative energy initiatives underway: a 650-MW solar power project scheduled for completion in 2027, and two wind energy projects. Three hydroelectric power plants are already in operation, and a project for the fourth facility – the 400-MW Nizhne-Zeyskaya Hydroelectric Power Plant – is fully prepared. As soon as the decision to launch the project is made, we will actively begin its implementation,” he said.
Overall, according to the Governor, the region is developing dynamically. In 2024 and 2025, the Amur Region attracted record levels of investments in the Far East. The Governor attributes this largely to two megaprojects: the Gazprom gas processing plant (where the construction of five lines has been completed, commissioning and start-up operations are underway) and the SIBUR Amur Gas Chemical Complex (90 percent complete).
Vasily Orlov noted that upon completion, this cluster will become the second largest in the world in terms of capacity, producing 42 billion cubic metres of gas and 2.7 million tonnes of polymers.
The Governor also highlighted the development of the town of Svobodny, where new sports and housing facilities have been built.
Vladimir Putin recalled the agreement under which large companies have social commitments in the regions. As the President clarified, “We have agreed with the companies that they would have their own social programmes in the region, and that they would concentrate these programmes there and that the town would develop accordingly.”
The share of consumers in the Amur Region connected to gas networks reached 8 percent in 2025 and will increase to 32 percent by 2030 thanks to the implementation of the second phase of the relevant programme in 2026–2030. During this period, 36 boiler houses will be built in the region.
On a separate note, the Governor reported to the President on the implementation of instructions regarding the Vostochny Cosmodrome and the Eastern Operating Domain. According to Vasily Orlov, the construction of the fourth overpass across the Trans-Siberian Railway in Belogorsk, Amur Region, is ahead of schedule. It may be completed as early as the end of 2026. Two of the three constructed overpasses – in Seryshevo and Novobureysky – have already been opened.
Vasily Orlov asked the President to instruct the Government to include the Blagoveshchensk overpass in the six-year plan. “The city is developing very quickly, and this overpass will connect the central and northern parts of the city. The northern part of the city that will become home to 47,000 people, is currently very actively developing, with a lot of residential housing being built, a school with a swimming pool, and much more. Therefore, if you issue such an instruction, we will begin the planning work and, according to estimates, start construction around 2029,” he said.
According to Vasily Orlov, the city of Blagoveshchensk in the Amur Region is poised to become Russia’s gateway to China and serves as a hub for Russian-Chinese business cooperation.
The regional capital is actively developing its infrastructure, including projects such as the Golden Mile – notably, a cable car. Its construction is expected to be completed by the end of spring, with a few months allocated for commissioning, meaning this unique facility will begin operations during the summer. A five-star hotel is also being built nearby.
The report further highlighted the recently opened House of Russian-Chinese Friendship. As the regional head noted, this is an entirely unique project, with financial assistance provided by Sberbank.
A major tourist attraction in Blagoveshchensk is the largest light-and-music fountain in Eurasia, featuring a laser show with 2,700 jets. Additionally, a space centre for children has been opened, a dinosaur museum is set to open soon, and a firefighting museum will be established nearby. This demonstrates a targeted effort to attract tourists.
The Governor of the Amur Region reported that the planning phase for the Expo Centre is nearing completion, and construction is set to begin shortly. Active collaboration is underway with the Russian Export Centre. Regions and Russian companies interested in entering the Chinese market will be able to showcase their products here on a permanent basis and seek partners across the border.
Separately, Vasily Orlov thanked the President for the instruction to host an annual off-site venue of the Eastern Economic Forum in the region – effectively a federal platform dedicated to relations with China. Simultaneously, an off-site venue of the Harbin Expo is being held in Heihe, opposite Blagoveshchensk. This means all interested parties can attend both events: in Blagoveshchensk and in Heihe.
The Governor emphasised the significant impact of Vladimir Putin’s instruction to abolish visas with China, noting that it has created a substantial window of opportunity, which regional authorities will strive to fully exploit for the benefit of the Motherland.
The Head of the Amur Region also briefed the President on another transport project: the Blagoveshchensk–Heihe bridge. A full-fledged border checkpoint was launched in late December, currently operating with 16 lanes. Its planned capacity is 850 vehicles per day, but Vasily Orlov is confident that this figure will exceed 1,000, driven by strong business interest.
Another project is Blagoveshchensk Airport. In accordance with the President’s instruction, all ground infrastructure has been completed, including the runway, air navigation systems, new aprons, and other facilities. The Governor reported that the airport now accommodates aircraft of all types. The construction of the passenger terminal has also been completed – funded through private investment under a concession agreement, with a total investment volume of 14 billion rubles.
In conclusion of the report, the issue of human resources was discussed. Vasily Orlov spoke about the international campus project at Amur State University. Its planning and design are currently underway, and the region is counting on support from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. The Governor reported that a competition would be held, with federal funding allocated to the winners. According to him, the project is strategically important for the Amur Region, as it will make it possible to train specialists for all key sectors of the regional economy.
In addition, around 500 Chinese students specialising in the Russian language are studying in the region, while local specialists are being trained with a focus on cooperation with China. The Governor expressed his readiness to increase the number of international students to 1,500, adding that if Blagoveshchensk was to serve as a platform for strengthening Russian-Chinese relations, expanding the pool of qualified professionals was essential.
Summing up the year, the Governor described it as successful for the region and thanked the President and the Government for their support.
In turn, Vladimir Putin thanked the Governor for supporting participants of the special military operation, noting that 65 percent of veterans returning from the special military operation zone had found employment in the region. While calling this a positive trend and a good example for other regions, the President stressed that the employment rate should continue to grow, as this remains a top priority.
Vladimir Putin also congratulated the Governor on the growth of the permanent population. Although the increase is modest – 0.4 percent – it is still a positive result. The President noted that such demographic improvements typically reflect consistent attention that regional authorities pay to the entire range of social issues.