Possible factors which can contribute to Russia's growth

[drgs]

Some possible factors which can contribute to Russia's growth, mentioned in this norwegian article, based on analysis by ECON Pöyry:
Supermakten Russland - Dagbladet.no - kultur

Short translation by me:

1. First the obvious, non-renewable resources which Russia has plenty of. The periodic table -- from top to bottom.

2. Renewable resources like fresh water, fertile soil, world's largest forest reserves ('the lungs of Europe'), harvestable fish and animals. Pollution and congestion of ecosystems are becoming more common over the whole world. Russia is certainly known for it's pollution stranglehold on the big cities and decades of catastrophic environmental administration, but thanks to it's waste area and low population density, vast stretches of land are virtually untouched. Here Russia is in fact in an unique position, and in a way can only be compared to Canada.

3. Global warming. While many countries are already facing difficulties with water shortage, desert spread, extreme weather etc., Russia can only look forward to milder climate. More than 65% of the territory of Russia is covered with a permanent ice. As larger areas become productive in terms of agriculture and forrest planting, there will be some minor problems with infrastructure in the beginning, but it will turn out a big advantage in the end.
Oceans being depleted for fish has little to say in Russia's case, as the fish will wander north with increasing temperature.

4. Clash of civilizations. While war on terror is tying up large resources in the USA, Russia has taken the role of participant observer and even nourishes it's relations with Iran.
While multicultural societies in Europe are struggling with integration, and immigration pressure from remote countries continues to increase, all new Russian work force immigration comes from neighboring former Soviet republics. For many of these peoples this will not be a new deal. In contrast to the well-fare spongers in the West, immigrants in Russia are actually working

5. Scientific and technological strength is coming back. The country is still one of the top suppliers of mathematicians, physicians and programmers, and has a rapidly growing software industry.

6. Russia's military industrial complex is slowly rising up from the ashes and over time will approach it's past greatness.

7. 70 years of isolation from the West. Like coming out of a time capsule, the least Americanized European country where everything is like 20 years back in time.