Sakha Republic creative economy: Aisen Nikolaev says investing in people comes first

Sakha Republic head Aisen Nikolaev took part in the Creative Economy Days forum in St. Petersburg. At a business session on developing creative industries in the regions, held at the Tavrichesky Palace with regional leaders and federal development institutions, he presented the republic's experience, achievements and goals.

Nikolaev said that creative economy in Sakha is, above all, an investment in people. He stressed that talented residents should be able to build successful careers in their home region rather than move to Moscow or St. Petersburg. Cinema, animation, video games, fashion and jewelry art are being developed on the basis of culture and professional competence.

According to the government's 2025 report, 51.2 thousand people work in creative industries in the republic. Added value produced in 2024 reached 31.94 billion rubles, placing Sakha second in the Far East. Film revenue last year reached 280 million rubles. A new Far Eastern Cinema Centre pavilion is planned, and the goal is to raise the number of creative workers to 70,000 by 2030.