Regional distribution of public-private partnership projects: case of Russia

Abstract

In Russia, regional differentiation poses a threat to the development sustainability. The infrastructural gap between regions is a fundamental aspect of this differentiation. To explore possible solutions to this problem, we discuss the proactive attitude towards implementation of public-private partnership projects as an option for bridging the infrastructure gap. That is why we explore distribution dynamics and structure in the context of private partnership projects in Russia in 2007-2020. Based on findings, we concluded the following: first, as for the public-private partnership projects completed, their distribution across federal districts in Russia, as well as across economy sectors is uneven. Second, distribution of investments in implementation of public-private partnership projects by federal districts corresponds to quantitative distribution of projects. Third, distribution of investments in implementation of public-private partnership projects across sectors coincides with distribution of the projects completed. So, we might conclude that in some regions, public-private partnership projects are more capital-intensive and large-scale than in others. This might lead to increased regional differentiation. Overall implementation dynamics of public-private partnership projects in Russia suggests that their capacity is still in low demand.