Arktikugol to Create a Center for BRICS and SCO
The State Trust ‘Arktikugol’ plans to establish an international scientific and educational center on the archipelago of Svalbard in the settlement of Russian presence, Pyramiden, oriented towards BRICS and SCO countries. Interest in this project has already been expressed by China, Brazil, India, Turkey, and Thailand. Ildar Neverov, the CEO of the State Unitary Enterprise Arktikugol, announced that the trust is currently developing the concept for the center.
The project is being developed due to the interest from various countries in Russian infrastructure in Svalbard in the context of conducting scientific research. As coal mining on the archipelago declines, an opportunity arises to develop scientific and tourist activities.
Among the tourist plans is the development of infrastructure to attract guests interested in extreme, adventure, scientific, and cruise tourism. There are also plans to implement the museum concept of the ‘Preserve Archipelago’ to preserve the cultural and natural heritage of Svalbard.