Russia ready to discuss Japan participation in modernization

TOKYO (Itar-Tass) -- Russia is ready to discuss the
possibilities for active participation of Japanese companies in the
Russian economy's modernization, Industry and Trade Minister Viktor
Khristenko said in an interview published in the leading Japanese business
newspaper Nikkei on Saturday.
Both parties, the minister said, "hold consultations on developing
cooperation in energy, including peaceful atomic energy, and
transportation of cargoes", paying attention to "such areas as medical
technologies and medicines, auto-making and the chemical industry". "We
would like to develop interregional cooperation and relations with the
business community in general," Khristenko noted. "There are prospects in
the areas of shipbuilding, aviation and electro-technical industries,
space exploration, latest technologies, including nanotechnologies."
Speaking about the potential of partnership within the plans of
modernization in Russia, he favoured the development in such areas as
advanced technologies, biotechnologies and development of efficient energy
sources. "We are ready to welcome the expansion of business partnerships,
not only in the Far East, but also in the western part of the RF", the
Nikkei quotes the minister's words.
The publication also draws attention to Khristenko's statement that
"the basis for economic cooperation between the two countries now is
energy. A good example here is the participation of Japanese companies in
the development of oil and gas deposits on the Sakhalin shelf, which has
created conditions for energy supply to Japan for the long term".
According to him, "companies of both countries could continue to discuss
the prospects for expanding such cooperation."