Is the Jewish Autonomous Zone poised for a come-back?

Dmitry Medvedev, the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, has signed on to a plan approved July 31st to “implement a program of voluntary resettlement in the Jewish Autonomous region.”

The plan provides an “absorption basket” – worth approximately $8000 – including airfare, relocation expenses and health insurance, and is targeted to those who left Russia and wish to resettle in this mineral rich area on the Chinese border.

According to Russian news-sites, the five year plan is looking to attract approximately 2200 people.