June 4, 2021: During the session of VEB.RF "Cities Competing for Residents" in the framework of Saint Petersburg Economic Forum, managers of cities participating in the joint program of VEB.RF and the Skolkovo Innovation Center expanded on their municipal development projects. The session was broadcast live from VEB.RF's studio "VKontakte with Partners". Taganrog City Manager Andrei Lisitsky participated in the event remotely.

According to the chief executive of "Monotowns" trust (MONOGORODA.RF) Irina Makieva, who was also involved in the session, managerial teams of 100 major cities along with VEB.RF experts have been working on municipal development projects for almost a year. The aim is to improve the quality of residents' life. "We cooperate to upgrade our cities, making them modern and comfortable. Besides, we want every city to display its own spirit", she said.


Andrei Lisitsky presented the project of reconstruction and maintenance of Taganrog streetcar system. In this project, there has already been collaboration with VEB.RF. "Electric power transport has been an important component of our urban infrastructure for many generations. The local tram line was opened in autumn 1932. Thanks to the concession agreement and VEB.RF's support, after the implementation of the project, we will not only safeguard local streetcars but also modernize and make them comfortable for residents and visitors of Taganrog. We are happy that Taganrog is one of the first cities able to implement such a large-scale project", Andrei Lisitsky said.

Earlier Taganrog and "Sinara - Transport Machines" had signed a concession agreement for a new streetcar system and procurement of trams for Taganrog. The documents had been signed by Yevgeni Vasiliev representing "Sinara" and Taganrog City Manager Andrei Lisitsky. The project is to be undertaken in two phases. The first one will be finished by the end of 2021 when three traction substations, the dispatch office, and a section of the tramways are refurbished. The second phase will be finished by September 2022.

VEB.RF is a Russian state development corporation, one of the largest investment companies, and main development institute in Russia. In partnership with commercial banks, it provides financing for large-scale projects to develop the country's infrastructure, industrial production and social sphere, strengthen its technological potential and improve the quality of life.