International twinning of Russian regions as a factor in their strategic economic development (on the example of the Leningrad region)

Abstract

Aim. To analyze the significance and directions of development of foreign economic activities, establishment of twinning for the Leningrad region in modern geopolitical conditions.Tasks. To substantiate the need to develop twinning relations; to identify mutually beneficial options for economic twinning, as well as to analyze its key ways.Methods. The research was based on a systematic approach, which analyzed the structure of prospective economic interaction between the Leningrad region and twinned territories (Hebei Province of the People’s Republic of China and the Mogilev region of the Republic of Belarus).Results. It has been revealed that in the context of a number of directions Leningrad region enterprises can find mutually beneficial options of economic cooperation in the territories of the countries friendly to Russia: China and Belarus. The analysis of economic structures of the Leningrad Region, Hebei Province of the People’s Republic of China and Mogilev Region of the Republic of Belarus substantiated basic recommendations on the selection of the most promising areas of development of twinning relations of the Leningrad Region with these regions: exchange, development and import of technologies and equipment, including in the field of railway engineering (with Hebei Province); cooperation in agriculture and food industry (with Mogilev Region).Conclusions. Intensification of expansion of twinning relations of the Leningrad region will be one of the most important directions of adaptation of the region’s economy to the policy of foreign economic sanctions. The approach presented in the article can be applied to the management of international activities and other regions of the Russian Federation.