Lipetsk Region presentation of the region Dear Sirs, Let me present Lipetsk region and to express hope that the acquired information will expand your conception about the possibilities and working conditions in our region Lipetsk region is one of the leaders of Russian regions in the volumes of attracted investments. Increase of the efficiency of investment process is key value for the future of the country and its regions. Our goal is to create the system of conditions which determine the favorable investment climate, to assist the investment and general culture of business, and also to assist reaching the best information security and safety of investment activities. Lipetsk region is open for realization of new ideas and new forms of cooperation. О. P. Korolev, Governor of Lipetsk Region Geography The Lipetsk Region is situated in the center of European Russia at the crossing of the major traffic arteries connecting the capital of the Russian Federation with South Russia and North Caucasus, and western areas of Russia with the territories along the Volga. Lipetsk has a moderate continental climate. The Region’s territory is about 24 thousand sq.km, that is, 0.14% of the Russian Federation (a little larger than the area of Israel but less than that of Albania). The Region stretches 200 km from north to south and 150 km from west to east. The population is 1.2 million people. The Region is divided into 20 administrative territories: two urban districts and 18 municipalities. The administrative center of the Region is the city of Lipetsk situated on the banks of the Voronezh River with population over 500 thousand people. The Region is a high plain with heights up to 262 m in the West and flat lowland plain in the East. It has mineral deposits of limestones, dolomites, sand, clay and raw cement materials and leads in raw carbonate materials stock in the Russian Federation. There are substantial peat deposits in the Region. Thick black earth occupies approximately 40% of the total territory of the Region while forests occupy about 9% of the same. The Region’s flora counts around 1,200 species including 40 tree and bush species. The territory of the Lipetsk Region includes areas with the preglacial relic vegetation such as Galichia Gora, Morozova Gora, Vorgolskie Skaly, Voronov Kamen, Plyushchan and Bykova Sheya. These areas comprise Galichia Gora natural reserve of the Lipetsk Region. The Region has a diverse wildlife represented by over 60 mammal species, 250 bird species, 30 fish species, 8 reptile species and 8 amphibian species. Thanks to its famous mineral springs and therapeutic muds discovered in 1871, Lipetsk has been known as a resort city for a long time. Lipetsk resorts have been operating since 1805. Lipetsk mineral springs were discovered as early as in the time of Peter I. Presently 13 mineral wells are exploited, with total water capacity of over 1,500 cub.m per day. History The Lipetsk Region was formed on January 6, 1954 by joining the outlying areas of the Ryazan, Voronezh, Kursk and Oryol Regions. They are native Russian areas populated hundreds of years ago. After the beginning of the Golden Horde’s invasion in 13 th century, they became deserted as the survived population left ruined towns and moved to the northern and western areas of Russia. Our Region revived rapidly in the 16 th and 17 th centuries due to reforms of Peter I who encouraged iron production as the ship guns for the Azov Fleet were cast here. New plants – Stankostroy (a tractor plant) in 1932 and NLMZ (Novolipetsk Metallurgical Plant, currently OAO NLMK) in 1934 – were established in Lipetsk. Then, machine building plants started operating in Yelets. The government decision to establish extensive iron and steel production in Central Russia and form the Lipetsk Region resulted in a fast development of Lipetsk and other cities. The Novolipetsk Metallurgical Plant was built by efforts of the entire country and the Lipetsk Region in particular. The foundation was laid for a strong construction sector and fast-growing transport infrastructure. Along with the dominating iron and steel industry, the Region strives to develop engineering, chemical, consumer goods, food manufacturing and other industries. The economic potential of the Region was used to boost the agricultural sector, upgrade production facilities and solve social issues. As the years passed, Lipetsk turned from a small country town into a half-a-million population modern city with a well-developed infrastructure. Other cities of the Region have changed as well. Culture 2 The cultural life of the Lipetsk Region has been fostered throughout all 58 years of its existence. Today there is: • L.N. Tolstoy State Academic Drama Theater • two municipal theaters • State Regional Puppet Theater • State Regional Philharmonic Hall • The Cossacks of Russia State Dance Ensemble • State Orchestra of Russian Folk Instruments • over 10 municipal bands and dance groups in the towns and districts of the Region • 25 museums, a branch of the State Federal Leo Tolstoy Museum situated in Lev-Tolstoy village and over 100 school, departmental, public and private museums • 38 music and art schools • K.N. Igumnov Lipetsk Regional College of Arts • T.N. Khrennikov Yelets Regional College of Arts • Educational Advanced Training Center for Experts in Arts and Humanities • Lipetskoblkinotsentr (cinema center) • Lipetsk Regional Exhibition Hall • 489 cultural and leisure institutions (community centers, recreation centers and clubs) • 520 public libraries • 136 cinemas • five art workshops • four independent recreation and entertainment parks and a zoo. Science and Education In 2011, the Region had 355 public preschool institutions including three infant schools offering primary education. The preschool institutions are attended by 41,603 children (58.9%) from one to six years old. • As of January 1, 2012 the Region had 274 general education institutions and 135 branch schools offering affordable primary, basic and secondary education. The system of elementary and secondary professional education of Lipetsk region is presented by 18 organizations of elementary and 22 organizations of secondary professional education which train students for 62 professions in elementary and 70 professions in secondary professional education. There are 8 resource centers on the basis of organizations of elementary and secondary professional education. As of January 1, 2012, the Lipetsk Region has 18 specialized schools and 22 colleges offering 62 blue-collar professions and 70 mid-level majors to 21.3 thousand students. The educational process is carried out by 613 teachers. The specialized schools and colleges of the Region have 8 HR centers. Over 1,3 people were involved in research and development in 2011 including current members and corresponding members of the Russian and international academies. In 2011, over a hundred people received honorary degrees, public awards, diplomas and certificates. The value of research and development projects exceeded RUB 75 million. Key focus areas of R&D institutions are as follows: • Russian Research Institute of Oilseed Rape carries out research in selection, seed production, genetics and biotechnology of the rape farming, agriculture and livestock breeding; • Yelets Potato Experimental Station carries out research in selection, seed production and agricultural engineering of the potato farming; • Foundry Technology Institute develops and implements new process technologies; • Central Construction and Materials Research Laboratory carries out research in new construction materials, improves their manufacturing processes and utilizes industrial wastes; • OOO GeoTekhProektStroy carries out research in foundation engineering and develops new manufacturing processes; • Engineering Center of OAO NLMK researches environmental, resource conservation and product quality improvement issues; • OOO Silan Production Company carries out research in organosilicon manufacturing technology and creates new paint materials; • Lipetsk State Agrochemical Service Center analyzes soil condition and develops methods for recovering soil fertility and increasing crop capacity; • Yelets State Agrochemical Service Station performs agrochemical soil monitoring; • Lipetsk Center of Scientific and Technical Information (FGU Lipetsk TsNTI) develops and improves processes of collection, processing, storage and use of the regional information activity resources and research and development results based on digital means and systems as well as information technologies, maintains purpose-oriented programs, monitors companies’ research and development activities for sectors of the Region’s economy and performs patent researches; • Galichia Gora Reserve of Voronezh University maintains a reserve environmental data collection and maintenance system and conducts integrated research and monitoring of the Region’s environment. The core scientific potential of the Region is concentrated in the following three universities: • I.A. Bunin Yelets State University studies history and archeology of the Central Russian Region, Russian language issues, legal and social issues, etc. • Lipetsk State Technical University studies and developing new ferrous metals, construction materials and structures manufacturing processes, methods for equipment and tools reliability improvement, energy saving and resource conservation issues, etc., and • Lipetsk State Pedagogical University studies and monitors the environment and fauna, and continuous