В статье изложено критическое видение текущего состояния и перспектив развития рынка древесной биоэнергетики и древесных пеллет в России и мире. Анализируя текущие тенденции, авторы обосновывают выводы о высокой привлекательности проектов по производству древесных пеллет в стране как для внутреннего, так и для внешнего рынков. В заключение они приходят к выводам о важности и критическом значении стимулирующих мер государственной и муниципальной поддержки, необходимости параллельного развития как внешнего, так и внутреннего рынка древесных пеллет России.

In current business environment we need to search new tools of state industrial policy. World and domestic experience, as well as theoretical studies confirm that the use of cluster approach to promoting the development of integrated economic systems contributes to improving the competitiveness of industries, regions and country as a whole. The aim of this study is to analyze the conceptual foundations of cluster creation in the forest sector of economy of Sverdlovsk region taking into account of the essential features of economic and technological reality, and the current state of the state of cluster policy. The analysis of the legal framework helped to identify the forms of state support for cluster formations and their requirements and their specialized institutions to obtain official status. The study identified six currently existing regional forestry clusters. Formed clusters will contribute to the development of the industry, but their number is insufficient to improve the competitiveness and innovative development of forest sector economy as a whole. Timber industry complex of Sverdlovsk region has significant potential to increase its contribution to economic development of the region. Development opportunities of the forestry sector are explained by the presence of established infrastructure, logging and timber processing, and significant resource base of the industry. There are enterprises of forestry, pulp and paper, wood processing, wood chemical industry in the region. Sverdlovsk region has a number of problems that would be mitigated and partially solved through the establishment of timber industry cluster. In this work, the structure of the regional wood industry cluster is suggested, the assumptions and risks of its creation are analyzed, the composition of the participants of the "core" of the cluster is substantiated. The most appropriate mechanisms of state support and quantitative performance indicators of the cluster are offered to ensure the efficient operation and further development of the cluster.

The Northern Sea Route (NSR) and the opportunities it offers for international transportation networks is widely discussed not only in academic literature but also by the wider public. The purpose of this article is to analyze the economic and logistical prerequisites for the development of the NSR-based project, its opportunities and threats in the light of Russia's regional development. The article also focuses on the potential of the sea port of Sabetta, which may be turned into a transnational transport hub. The possibility of development of intermodal terminals is also discussed. The project presented in this article is based on the multimodal transport approach. The methodological framework relies on the method of branches, arbitrary variation in network programming, and graphical modelling. The analysis has shown that in its current state, the transportation network is insufficient and requires further expansion and modernization. The authors conclude that the capacities of Sabetta need to be supplemented with a modern network of railway, river and motor transport. This project may be expected to become a driver for regional development of the Urals and Siberia, create new jobs and attract foreign investment. The results of the study can be used for strategic planning of regional development of Russia's northern regions.