APEC 2012 causes Japan's increased interest in Primorsky rgn - gvrnr.

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15/11 Tass 76

VLADIVOSTOK, November 15 (Itar-Tass) - Japan's interest in the
Primorsky Territory of Russia is increasing in connection with the
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum's summit that Vladivostok
will host in 2012. The Japanese side is interested in plans for the region'
s economic development linked with the preparation of this international
event, the prospects for Japanese companies' participation in projects to
upgrade the infrastructure of the Primorsky Territory, governor of the
Primorsky Territory Sergei Darkin said on the results of his trip to
Yokohama where a regular APEC summit ended on Sunday.
He noted that "Japan is one of the leading partners of the Primorsky
Territory in the field of investment cooperation, their trade-economic
relations have stable positive dynamics." According to Darkin, "a number
of major joint projects have been implemented in recent years." Among them
there are - the construction of plants for deep processing of timber, the
launch of a regular ferry service - DBS Ferry - between Vladivostok, the
Japanese city of Sakaiminato and South Korean Donghae. Reorganisation is
also underway in order to expand and improve the quality of cargo and
passenger transportation NEA Ferry line on the route
Vladivostok-Niigata-Sokcho.
Agreements with the Tottori and Akita Prefectures signed in 2010 also
contribute to the development of mutually beneficial cooperation. The
business assistance centres of the Tottori, Toyama and Shimane Prefectures
facilitate contacts between the two countries' entrepreneurs.
"Russia's integration in the Asia Pacific Region (APR) is one of the
priorities of our foreign policy. In this regard, the Primorsky Territory
role is the centre of interaction with the countries of the region," said
the governor.
According to him, the territory is implementing a strategic plan for
69 investment projects worth more than 60 billion US dollars. Projects of
the transportation and deep processing of hydrocarbons, development of the
transport system and giving it new logistics possibilities, construction
and reconstruction of energy facilities have been determined as priorities.
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation is a forum for 21 Pacific Rim
countries (styled "Member Economies") that seeks to promote free trade and
economic cooperation throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Established in
1989 in response to the growing interdependence of Asia-Pacific economies
and the advent of regional economic blocs (such as the European Union and
the North American Free Trade Area) in other parts of the world, APEC
works to raise living standards and education levels through sustainable
economic growth and to foster a sense of community and an appreciation of
shared interests among Asia-Pacific countries. Members account for
approximately 40 percent of the world's population, approximately 54
percent of world GDP and about 44 percent of world trade.
An annual APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting is attended by the heads of
government of all APEC members except the Republic of China (Taiwan),
which is represented under the name Chinese Taipei by a ministerial-level
official. The location of the meeting rotates annually among the member
economies, and a famous tradition involves the attending Leaders dressing
in a national costume of the host member.
The APEC Russia 2012 summit will be the 24th annual gathering of APEC
leaders. Leaders from the member countries will meet on Russky Island, off
the coast of Vladivostok, Russia in 2012. The summit on Russky Island will
see the building of resorts, dinner and entertainment facilities, in
addition to the renovation and upgrading of Vladivostok International
Airport. Two giant cable-stayed bridges are currently under construction
in preparation for the summit, namely the Zolotoi Rog bridge over the
Zolotoi Rog bay in the centre of the city, and Russky Island Bridge from
mainland to Russky Island (will become the longest cable-stayed bridge in
the world upon completion). The new campus of Far Eastern Federal
University will be completed on Russky Island by 2012.
-0-ezh/usn


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