Russia’s Far East invites investment in regional projects

KHABAROVSK, September 10 (RIA Novosti) - The Khabarovsk Territory in the Russian Far East is prepared to offer foreign investors the opportunity to join regional projects, the region’s governor said.

“For example, the Vanino-Sovgan transport and industrial hub is being developed in the Khabarovsk Territory and we are offering projects associated with it,” said Vyacheslav Shport, governor of the Khabarovsk Territory, following the results of the Far Eastern international economic forum that came to an end on Wednesday in Khabarovsk.

In particular, one project is the construction of a pulp and paper mill in the town of Amursk with a capacity of 500,000 metric tons a year. The project is estimated to be worth over 30 billion rubles ($970 million), Shport said.

The governor also said that “there are projects to build roads and timber processing. We are offering entrepreneurs and foreign companies the opportunity to participate in them,” Shport said, adding that during the forum which was attended by over 130 delegates from 14 countries he met with representatives from China, South Korea and Japan and discussed the possibilities of investment.

The governor also mentioned a development program for the Great Ussuriisk Island which was divided last year between Russia and China.

“The issue of developing the Russian-Chinese island is one of the major topics we discussed with the Chinese side. China has its own program for the island’s development and we have our own. Our task is to harmonize the programs for the benefit of both sides,” the governor said.

Shport said that Russia was offering investors comprehensive development of the Great Ussuriisk Island to build a bridge, border crossing, terminals, freight and passenger haulage infrastructure and homes.

“Moreover, transport projects aimed at developing regional transit possibilities are especially important. For example, this includes projects to build Russia’s first maritime special economic zone in the port of Sovetskaya Gavan and create a Far Eastern air and transport hub in Khabarovsk,” the governor said.