The city of Irkutsk is a major industrial, transport and logistics, cultural, scientific-educational, and tourist center of Siberia and the Far East.

In Irkutsk, hydroelectric power, aircraft manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food, and processing industries are well developed.

The city manufactures vehicles, machinery, and equipment; there are chemical, textile, and sewing industries; food production is active; and the generation and distribution of electricity, gas, and water is carried out.

Irkutsk is one of the largest energy-producing centers in Russia.

Within its borders are located:

  • The first hydroelectric power plant in the Angara cascade — Irkutsk HPP, with a capacity of over 660 MW.
  • Additionally, the Novo-Irkutsk TPP, with a capacity of over 700 MW.

Situated in the center of Eastern Siberia on the Trans-Siberian Railway and on a federal highway, Irkutsk is an important transit hub on the "Europe-Asia" route.

The highway connects the western regions of the country (Central Russia, Volga region, Ural) with the eastern regions (Western and Eastern Siberia, the Far East); links Europe with Asia; and Russia with China and Mongolia.

The city hosts the management of the East Siberian Railway — a branch of JSC "Russian Railways."

The "Irkutsk-Sortirovochnaya" station is the largest freight station of the Trans-Siberian Railway.

There is also an international airport, the East Siberian River Shipping Company, a river port, and major enterprises in automotive and electric transport.

In the capital of Pribaikalye, is located one of the flagship enterprises of Russian aircraft manufacturing — the Irkut Aircraft Plant. It provides experimental and serial production of complete cycle aircraft.

Specifically, new manufacturing facilities have been created at the plant for the serial production of the MS-21 aircraft.

Products from the Irkut Aircraft Plant, as well as those from the Irkut Heavy Machinery Plant and the Irkut Relay Plant, are also exported.

Moreover, Irkutsk is home to one of the largest pharmaceutical enterprises in Russia — "Pharmsintez."

The company produces medicines included in the List of Vital and Essential Medicines approved by a Government order of the Russian Federation.

Production of food products is also well developed. A wide range of baked goods, dairy, and confectionery products are produced by both industrial enterprises and private farmers.

Irkutsk is a major scientific and educational hub of the country. The city hosts 12 higher education institutions, 107 cultural and arts facilities, and 1,096 sports facilities. Over one hundred thousand students study there, including international students.

The total investment portfolio of promising projects in Irkutsk amounts to approximately 10 billion rubles.

Investment projects are being implemented in sectors such as sports, tourism, recreation, manufacturing, and other areas.

International cooperation and connections of the municipality are also actively developing.