Economic aspects of the creation of mobile units providing everyday services in off-road conditions in Western Siberia

Abstract

This article proposes a solution to alleviate socio-economic problems faced by rural areas in Western Siberia, such as the municipal districts of Omsk region, which are seasonally cut off from national transport infrastructure due to extreme climatic conditions. Specifically, it explores issues related to the provision of basic, everyday services in such regions. Based on an opinion poll which identified a significant need for better provision of everyday services such as hairdressing salons, repair shops and so on in remote regions of Western Siberia, the authors propose a model for an investment project to develop mobile units to provide such services. The costs of setting up such units and the period of time required to recoup those costs, as well as the benefits they will bring to the societies in question, are examined in depth. The provision of government financial support for setting up businesses engaged in this kind of social enterprise is also explored.