Putin asks govt to ready bill on Arctic invest preferences fast

ST.PETERSBURG, Apr 9 (PRIME) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin asked the government on Tuesday to prepare a bill stipulating preferences for investors in the Arctic quickly so that the State Duma, parliament’s lower chamber, approves it during the autumn session.

“The Russian government and the experts and business representatives were ordered to elaborate a special federal bill on a special system of preferences for investors in the Arctic zone. I am asking you to work fast so that this draft is approved by the State Duma in the autumn session,” Putin said.

Russia will upgrade its Arctic ports and expand the fleet to at least 13 heavy icebreakers including nine nuclear icebreakers until 2035, he also said.

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