The dynamic development of the Irkutsk region’s economy and growth of industrial production, combined with an expansion of cooperation with countries of the Asian-Pacific region and the European Union, are making rapid strides in changing the investment climate in the Irkutsk region. Joint efforts of authorities and the business community are beneficial for the creation of a favorable climate for national and foreign investors.
The huge potential of resources, power industries and scientific and educational establishments make the Irkutsk region highly attractive as regards investments.
According to the outcome of a rating of the Russian regions’ investment attractiveness that was carried out by the "Expert" Rating Agency in 2003, the Irkutsk region in its investment potential is on level 2B (medium potential - moderate risk). The Irkutsk region is among twenty regions of Russia possessing a significant investment potential.
Also in 2003, "Standard and Poor’s", an international rating agency, determined the credit rating of the Irkutsk region on level "B", "Positive" prediction. Furthermore, in the agency’s estimation, the Irkutsk region is one of the few Russian regions, having a positive prediction of a growth of the credit rating. A positive trend in the change of this indicator is the balanced budgetary and taxation policy pursued in the region.
The investment attractiveness of the Irkutsk region is determined by a whole set of components that are formed on the basis of the natural-resources potential, the powerful production basis, a sufficiently well developed financial and investment infrastructure, and a high labor and scientific potential.