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Vitaly Khotsenko reported to the President that, despite the economic challenges, the region’s GRP has been growing for the past two years. The region boasts a powerful agricultural sector; the industrial production is highly advanced and diversified, comprising petrochemistry, defence, civil mechanical engineering, and other industries. The industrial production showed almost 3 percent in growth last year, which is the double of the national average.

The largest oil refinery is among the major completed industrial projects. The project for producing catalysts for oil refining has been completed. It will bring tens of billions of rubles and create 500 jobs. The Omsk Engine Design Bureau project is in its final stage. It is part of the United Engine Corporation. There are smaller projects such as an electric power meter project by MIR.

There is solid groundwork in the agricultural sector as well. More than 4 million tonnes of grain were harvested in 2025. Greenhouse cultivation is developing. The region is up to 60 percent self-sufficient in vegetable production. A greenhouse facility covering 20 hectares is expected to be finished this year or early next year. This project will boost the vegetable and greens self-sufficiency to 76 percent, including during autumn and winter.

The Governor thanked the President for the decision to transfer the assembly of the Angara launch vehicle from the Khrunichev Centre in Moscow to the Omsk platform of the Polyot production association. The assembly is in progress for both Angara A5 large and small launch vehicles. The entire technology will now be in place, both the third stage of the heavy A5 launch vehicle and the fairings for the large and small rockets.

The President noted that the most crucial issue concerns the quantity and quality of workforce required for expanding production. Vitaly Khotsenko reported that he is cooperating with First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov and General Director of Roscosmos Dmitry Bakanov. Three and a half thousand people are currently involved in this production. Another 1,500 are expected to join. Few will relocate from Moscow so it is necessary to train the workforce locally.

The Governor mentioned another new major project by Gazprom Neft, production of graphite electrodes for metallurgy. Currently, the industry is still dependent on imports from certain countries. The new facility that is already in development will significantly increase the share of Russian technology in metallurgy. Another project is an ultra-large tyre. The Ural Mining and Metallurgical Company and its Chinese partner have created a joint venture for this purpose. Previously, only Belarusian companies manufactured 5–6-metre tyres for BelAZ and other tip-trucks. Both projects are located in the Avangard special economic zone.

The President and the Governor also discussed housing construction and logistics. The region has a strong advantage: the Trans-Siberian Railway runs through the Omsk Region, along with a major motorway. A northern bypass road is under construction near Omsk as is the new airport. There are logistics facilities in development along the trans-border river of Irtysh, to be used by China, Kazakhstan and Russia. Facilities covering 230,000 sq m in total were opened last year.

In addition, Vitaly Khotsenko reported that issues related to supporting participants in the special military operation, veterans, and their families remain under constant control, with regional support measures continuing to expand and improve. The region implements over 40 support measures. A regional personnel training initiative modelled on the federal Time of Heroes programme has been launched, with two veterans elected to the Omsk City Council, while medical professionals who served in the special military operation and later returned have assumed leadership positions at the Veterans’ Hospital, which was modernised and reopened last summer.

Vitaly Khotsenko also said that last year, Omsk was awarded the status of Youth Capital of Russia, hosting over 500 events. This year, Omsk has been designated the Cultural Capital of Russia, with a wide range of large-scale events scheduled. These include a federal Sabantuy festival, organised jointly with the Republic of Tatarstan, as well as the prestigious Golden Mask Theatre Award and the Musical Heart of the Theatre forum of musical theatres.

The Governor also spoke about the Starina Sibirskaya museum complex, located 200 kilometres from Omsk. It as an authentic village representing the majority of the region’s diverse peoples, including Siberian Cossacks, Siberian Tatars, and Germans, among others, although not all of them as of now. The site includes museum and interactive exhibits and culinary tourism experiences which turned it into an exciting regional attraction.

The Governor further recalled that the President had initiated the Russia–Kazakhstan interregional forums, which he previously attended together with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The next forum is scheduled to take place in Omsk in 2026. Vitaly Khotsenko suggested that the President participate in the event, circumstances permitting, and extend an invitation to the President of Kazakhstan. Vladimir Putin responded by noting that he was aware of President Tokayev’s support for such initiatives and promised to discuss the matter with him.

The President also enquired about the situation surrounding the Irtysh River, which flows through both Russia and Kazakhstan. Vitaly Khotsenko explained that the issue is expected to become a priority, and potentially, a central topic of discussion at the upcoming Russia–Kazakhstan Forum, where Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk, who heads the intergovernmental commission on economic, scientific, and technical cooperation with Kazakhstan, is expected to participate. According to the Governor, the Irtysh River is experiencing difficulties related to unstable water levels, which fluctuate depending on seasonal flood conditions. The Governor also noted that a hydroelectric complex is currently under construction on the Irtysh in the Omsk Region: the project is complex and progressing slowly, but it has the support from the government, the Ministry of Construction, and the Federal Agency for Water Resources. Vladimir Putin proposed discussing the matter in greater detail.