MOSCOW, July 23 (RIA Novosti) - The law on special economic zones will promote the economic diversification and development of Russian regions, Economic Development and Trade Minister German Gref said. "Two important events happened today," he said. "The president signed two essential documents, the law 'On Special Economic Zones' and the decree on the formation of a federal agency for special economic zones."
The law stipulates two types of special economic zones: industrial economic zones and technological economic zones. The zones will be formed to promote the economic development of and attract investments in the Siberian, Far-Eastern and other depressive regions. Gref said that 5-6 zones of each type would be created.
He added that there were plans to develop ports in border territories to promote the production of export goods and services.
The minister said that the infrastructure of the special economic zones would be financed from the federal and regional budgets on the parity basis.
Gref also said that this fall the government would submit an amendment to the law on special economic zones stipulating the creation of recreation zones in order to attract investments in the Russian tourist sphere.
