Dmitry Demeshin started his report with the latest data on the region’s economy, which indicates a steady growth. The region’s GDP has exceeded the threshold of 1.7 trillion rubles, expecting to reach 1.9 trillion in 2026. The industrial production rate stood at 118.2 percent in 2025. There has been a positive dynamic in mineral production, with copper-in-concentrate production growing by 330 percent, tin production by 40 percent, and gold production by 20 percent. Growth in construction is 152.3 percent while in freight turnover − 105.9 percent. Export has doubled. The unemployment rate is below the nationwide average at only one percent. The tax and non-tax budget revenues have increased by 20 percent in absolute numbers.
The Governor further reported on strengthening industrial and technological sovereignty. In cooperation with the Russian Academy of Sciences, a regional programme for scientific and technological development has been developed, along with a registry of R&D projects that are ready for implementation. Some of the projects have already found their applications. For example, satellite-based land monitoring using radar sensing provides up to 96 percent of solid earth surface diagnostics from space. He also mentioned latest technologies in ore production, aircraft engineering, biocompatible implant coating, and medications based on Far Eastern wild plants. A new soy variety called Khabarovsk Jubilee has been developed that provides a remarkably high yield of 4,800 kilograms per hectare and has a high protein content.
Dmitry Demeshin listed aircraft engineering among the region’s growth drivers. The industry has shown a 1.3 percent increase this year. A high-tech cluster based on local scientists’ research has been created. Some 100,000 UAVs were produced in 2025, with 330,000 planned for this year. Localisation has reached 80 percent. The region also produces microelectronic components, printed circuit boards, and a battery production line has been launched. A research and production centre for unmanned aviation systems is about to open.
Another project is a university campus that will bring together all technology and engineering experts that local industries require.
One of the priority clusters is shipbuilding, which is directly linked to the economic development of the Amur River basin. As the Governor noted, the region’s economy is oriented not only towards Russia but also towards the Asia-Pacific nations. The pivot to the East opens up prospects for restoring cross-border freight and passenger services with China along the Amur River, a route four times less expensive than rail transport. A programme for developing shipping on the Amur has been prepared, with the modernisation of the cargo, passenger, and auxiliary fleets as one of its key components. In line with the President’s instruction, a shipbuilding and ship repair centre has already been established at the Khabarovsk Shipyard.
The Governor asked the President to expedite approval of the shipping development programme along with the fleet modernisation programme. The Khabarovsk Territory has nearly 7,000 kilometres of waterways, 3,500 of which are navigable. There is a major transport corridor that needs to be put to full use: from the Chinese cities of Harbin and Fuyuan along the Sungari River, which flows into the Amur, and on to the Pacific basin.
As Governor Demeshin noted, attempts to exert pressure through sanctions have highlighted the need to develop domestic ship repair capabilities. There is significant demand from shipowners, particularly in the fishing industry. For example, in 2024, more than 70 percent of vessels underwent repairs at foreign shipyards. Fishing companies in the Far East have access to only 12 operational dry docks, while the actual requirement is three to four times greater. The Governor presented proposals to restore dry-docking facilities in Sovetskaya Gavan Bay, formerly the site of the successful Yakor ship repair yard, and asked the President to support these proposals.
Responding to the President’s question about the development of urban agglomerations, Mr Demeshin spoke about the renovation of numerous historic buildings, specifically plans to convert one of them into a youth leisure centre. Another facility is a shooting sports complex featuring a 200-metre range. Volleyball, weightlifting, and wrestling facilities are also being developed. The third location is a regional landmark: the Amur Cliff building, situated at the very spot where Khabarovsk was founded. Following restoration, it now houses a museum and exhibition complex. In Komsomolsk-on-Amur, the region’s industrial capital, a programme to refurbish historic facades is under way, alongside the reconstruction of two dilapidated yet important cultural centres located on the city’s central squares: the Sudostroitel (Shipbuilder) and Stroitel (Builder) culture centres. These initiatives are highly valued by the locals. There is also the Thousand Courtyards programme, which focuses on upgrading public spaces identified by residents themselves.
Vladimir Putin emphasised the need to continue this work.