Leaders of the 10th National Ranking of Investment Attractiveness of Russian SEZs Announced

The "Lipetsk," "Technopolis Moscow," and "Arkhyz" Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have emerged as leaders in their respective categories in the 10th National Ranking of Investment Attractiveness of Russian Special Economic Zones. The findings, compiled by the Association of Clusters, Technology Parks, and SEZs of Russia (AKIT RF) with the support of the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, were unveiled on October 22 at the 4th International Forum of Special Economic Zones in Moscow. A total of 51 SEZs participated in the ranking.

"Today, special economic zones are addressing objectives that extend well beyond the mere attraction of investment. They have become a vital instrument for restarting the investment cycle, fostering modern industrial production, implementing new technologies, and strengthening regional economies. However, achieving these results requires more than just offering incentives to businesses; it demands well-coordinated efforts from regional teams and management companies—teams prepared to create the right conditions for investment projects and to fulfill their commitments. The national ranking highlights where this work is being carried out most effectively, and the successful practices of these leaders should serve as a benchmark for the development of other special economic zones," noted Maxim Reshetnikov, Russia’s Minister of Economic Development.

Among industrial-production and port-type special economic zones, the "Lipetsk" SEZ (Lipetsk Region) took first place. The "Kulibin" SEZ (Nizhny Novgorod Region) secured second place, while the "Alabuga" SEZ (Republic of Tatarstan) ranked third.

"For the fourth time in five years, the 'Lipetsk' SEZ has been recognized as the best in Russia. For us, this is a high honor and confirmation that our chosen strategy—focused on creating a favorable environment for investors—is truly working." "Behind this recognition lie thousands of jobs created, billions of rubles in investment, and the trust of businesses that have come to the region for the long haul. New production facilities continue to open within the Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and existing enterprises are expanding. This demonstrates that the region’s investment policy is well-structured. Our task is not to rest on our laurels, but to keep fostering conditions that attract capital, advance technology, and generate employment. This is the foundation for a resilient economy and the well-being of our people," noted Igor Artamonov, Governor of the Lipetsk Region.

In the category of technology-innovation SEZs, "Technopolis Moscow" took the lead for the sixth consecutive year. The St. Petersburg SEZ secured second place, followed by the Dubna SEZ (Moscow Region) in third.

Among tourism-recreational SEZs, the Arkhyz SEZ (Karachay-Cherkess Republic) ranked first. The Baikal Harbor SEZ (Republic of Buryatia) took second place, while the Gates of Baikal SEZ (Irkutsk Region) came in third.

Three other special economic zones were recognized in specific categories. The Ivanovo SEZ received the "Breakthrough of the Year" award for the most significant improvement in its ranking compared to the previous year. The Rostovskaya SEZ was recognized for its success in attracting new residents, while the Avangard SEZ (Omsk Region) was honored for its effective infrastructure development and for exceeding its construction targets for infrastructure facilities.

The national ranking has been conducted by the Association of Clusters, Technoparks, and SEZs of Russia (AKIT RF) since 2017. In 2026, the assessment of industrial-production, port, and technology-innovation SEZs incorporated 44 indicators, grouped into seven sub-indices. Experts evaluated the regions based on their investment attractiveness, business climate, availability of infrastructure and land resources, transparency, preparedness for global economic challenges, and the expertise of management companies. A separate methodology, tailored to the specific nature of the sector, is applied to tourism and recreation-focused Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

"Over the past decade, this ranking has evolved from a basic assessment of fundamental conditions into a comprehensive analysis of the investment environment within SEZs. Today, we examine the entire investor journey—from infrastructure readiness and the speed of project launch to the quality of support, services, technological development, and the competence of the management company. For investors, the ranking provides a way to compare different sites based on specific criteria, while for the SEZs themselves, it highlights both their strengths and areas for further growth," noted Mikhail Labudin, Director of the Association of Clusters, Technology Parks, and SEZs of Russia.

The study's findings are also used to promote Russian Special Economic Zones internationally. Information regarding investment opportunities in these zones is disseminated through Russia’s trade missions, specialized platforms within the EAEU and the SCO, and the investment portal of the BRICS International Association of SEZs.

The 4th International Forum of Special Economic Zones is taking place on October 21–22, 2026, in Moscow, hosted by the Technopolis Moscow SEZ. The event is organized by the Association of Clusters, Technology Parks, and SEZs of Russia and the Technopolis Moscow SEZ, with support from the Russian Ministry of Economic Development and the Moscow Government.