Export of drinking water can bring more revenue to the Russian budget than oil - experts

The export of drinking water in the future 25 years may bring the Russian budget a higher income than oil exports, according to the report prepared by Roscongress experts "Tip of the iceberg: real prospects for the Arctic economy."
"About 70% of the planet's water resources are located in the Arctic and Antarctic polar caps, and the Arctic accounts for more than half of this volume," RIA Novosti quotes the report.
The possibility of exporting drinking water is already being discussed in Russia. "At an early stage of discussion, there are projects for supplies to far abroad, up to the Persian Gulf countries, which are already experiencing an acute shortage of water," the document says.
Experts note that Russia is the absolute leader in fresh water reserves beyond the Arctic Circle. "In the USA (Alaska), not a single major river flows into the Arctic Ocean. In Canada - 3. In Russia - 11," the authors explain.
"It is expected that by the end of the XXI century, the Arctic river flow will increase by 30%. By the same time, fresh water may become a more valuable export resource than oil," experts believe.

Alex Shishlo for Rough&Polished