RF's Far East should seek rapid development of Asia-Pacific states.

KHABAROVSK, July 2 (Itar-Tass) -- At a meeting with Governor of the
Khabarovsk Territory Vyacheslav Shport Russian President Dmitry Medvedev focused attention on a dynamic economic growth of the countries in the Asia-Pacific Region and broad opportunities for development of the relations with neighbouring countries.

"It is very important for us to target at a growth rate observed in
the countries of the Asia-Pacific Region, where major economies post a
7-10% annual growth rate," the president said. If neighbours develop
vigorously this "gives us some opportunities to implement the programs in
interstate economic relations," Medvedev pointed out.
The Khabarovsk territorial governor reported that the territory is
implementing major investment projects with foreign capital, including
Malaysia, China and other countries, as well as domestic investors. Timber
processing projects are particularly targeted at the output with a high
value added. Alongside, these products are in a high demand on the foreign
market.
"Our goal is to establish as many (timber) processing enterprises as
possible with a high value added in Russia," Medvedev noted.
Vyacheslav Shport reported to the president that the industrial
production growth in the Khabarovsk Territory reached 27% this year and a
35% growth rate was posted in May. The governor noted a gross regional
product growth rate would make five percent, according to forecasts.
Other economic indicators have improved considerably against the same
period in the previous year. The unemployment rate went down to 3.7% and
the labour market has 18,000 vacancies for 28,000 unemployed now. The wage
arrears have shrunk more than fourfold for the previous year, and the
enterprises in the state of bankruptcy mainly have salary debts. The real
incomes of people went up 15%.
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