In the IV Rating of the Sustainable Development of Special Economic Zones in Russia, the Alga SEZ won in the “Systematic Approach to Sustainable Development” category. The results were presented at the International SEZ Forum in Moscow. The study was prepared by the Association of Clusters, Technoparks and Special Economic Zones of Russia (AKIT RF) with the support of the Russian Ministry of Economic Development. It should be noted that the management company of the Alga SEZ is the Bashkortostan Development Corporation.
“Winning in the nomination is confirmation that the chosen course is the right one and that the principles of sustainable development have become an integral part of our daily work, rather than a formal requirement. The activities of the residents of the Alga special economic zone and the management company are based on a balance of economic results and social responsibility. Today, the investment portfolio of the residents exceeds 77 billion rubles. After the projects are implemented, about 2,000 jobs will be created in the republic,” said Alexander Sheldyaev, Acting Prime Minister of the Government of Bashkortostan.
According to Mikhail Labudin, Director of AKIT RF, the sustainability of a special economic zone is determined, among other things, by how its residents operate. The management company creates conditions for the development of the territory, but a significant part of the environmental and social results depends on the enterprises themselves. Among the criteria for assessing companies are the presence of sustainable development strategies, environmental indicators, investments in employee training, and disclosure of non‑financial information.
It is important that the resident policy in the Alga special economic zone combines legislative requirements and ESG principles that companies must adhere to.
– Since 2022, systematic work has been underway to implement ESG standards. A temporary working group was established in the republic, and based on its work, non‑financial reporting was compiled for 77 indicators. To ensure transparency, the data is published annually in the public domain on the SEZ “Alga” website,” said Nail Gabbasov, General Director of the Bashkortostan Development Corporation.
In 2026, AKIT RF updated the research methodology. The assessment was carried out based on 86 indicators, grouped into 4 areas: ecology, social sphere, management, and residents’ sustainable development practices. Each area accounts for 25% of the final result.
When forming the rating, experts analysed the efficiency of resource use, waste management, working conditions and social support for employees, corporate governance, and interaction with residents. The assessment took into account the dynamics of the indicators, compliance with the established criteria, and documented sustainable development practices.
It should be noted that these indicators are the result of the systematic work of the Government of the Republic of Bashkortostan to develop investment infrastructure and improve the quality of services for residents. The positions achieved strengthen the republic’s image at the federal level and help attract new investors to the region.