Japan willing to join some large-scale projects in Russian Far East.

24/4 Tass 62

KHABAROVSK, April 24 (Itar-Tass) - Interest towards the Russian Far
East is obviously growing in Japan and Japanese businesses are willing to
join a number of large-scale projects here, Viktor Ishayev, the Russian
President's plenipotentiary representative in the Far-Eastern Federal
District told a news conference here Saturday.
He spoke about the results of his visit to Japan, which he effectuated
from April 19 through April 23.
Talks with Prime Minister Hatoyama Yukio, the Minister of Economics,
Trade and Industry, Nozhiyama Masayuki and top officials of other
governmental departments "testify to the improvement of climate in the
Russian-Japanese relations."
According to Ishayev, Prime Minister Yukio made known his interest in
the Sakhalin-3 offshore oil and gas project, in development of the Elga
deposit of coal, in the construction of seaport infrastructures, in the
Far East coal wharfs and other terminals at the Far-Eastern ports.
Japanese businesses are also ready to take part in large-scale
projects related to double-racking the famous Baikal-Amur railway line.
Supplies of liquefied natural gas from Sakhalin to Japan, which
enabled people in the Land of the Rising Sun to feel the practical results
of cooperation, have turned into an important factor stimulating a further
increase of bilateral ties.
At this moment, Japanese government officials and businessmen are
holding details talks on how to promote economic relations in the future,
Ishayev said.
He indicated that the Japanese are generally fully enough informed
about projects in the Russian Far East. The Japanese have sensed changes
in the moods of the federal authorities in Moscow that have intensified
their attention on the development of Far-Eastern constituent territories.
The Japanese side believes that political and economic problems should
be resolved together and Russia occupies a position on the issue
suggesting that economic cooperation consolidates the grounds for mutual
understanding and promotion of ties in all spheres.
Ishayev indicated that a separate important problem - the difficulties
that the Japanese companies working in Russia run into - was also raised
during the visit.
"We were prepared for discussing it," he said adding that a council
for foreign investment is being set up at his office right now.
The new body will tackle the problems of all the foreign companies
working in Russia.
Japan plans to assist Russia's Far Eastern regions in modernizing
their economy and to take part in large infrastructure projects there,
Ishayev said summing up the results of his visit.
-0-kle


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