VISIT WITH POTENTIAL

For Canada's west coast Russia is Vladivostok or Sakhalin.

Canadian Ambassador to Russia Mr. Christopher Westdal made an official visit to Primorsky Krai last week. He took office in September and began familiarizing himself with Russia from Vladivostok where an honorary Canadian consulate, Russia's only one outside Moscow, opened three years ago.

The Canadian diplomat's schedule was rather tight. During one day, he delivered a lecture on prospects for Russian-Canadian relationships at the Far East National University, discussed the same topic with Governor Sergei Darkin, met with representatives of Canadian business working in the region and with local NGOs receiving grants from the Canadian Agency of International Development in 2003, signed documents on new grants for this year.

When welcoming the Candian guest, Sergei Darkin mentioned his trip to Canada two years ago, where he familiarized himself with practices of housing upkeep and mortgage loans. He noted that, though mutual interest is great, "general level of relationships is insignificant."

"ZR" FILE: Canada accounted for only $9.1 million of Primorsky Krai's foreign trade turnover of over $1.9 billion in 2003. $0.4 million worth of goods was exported from Primorye and $8.7 million worth imported. Exported to Canada is mainly produce of South Korean-invested garment factories (T-shirts and sweatshirts) as well as fish. Primorye imports machines and steel elements. There are 5 Canadian-invested businesses in Primorsky Krai. No investments came after 2000, and total to date was $23.6 million as of 1 January 2003. The best-known of joint ventures is Vlad Motor Inn hotel.

Sergei Darkin suggested to invest more actively in the region and, in particular, to take part in the construction of Primorye's section of the pipeline from Taishet to Pacific Ocean (Perevoznaya) and of an oil processing complex.

Then, the ambassador met with grantees. Interestingly, that of many projects the Canadians singled out and funded projects aimed at assistance to old people, youth and women waiting for babies.

Thus, grants ($20,000 each) were used to purchase unique diagnostic equipment for the gerontologic department set up at Hospital No. 4 in Vladivostok. The Centre for Civil Initiatives and Social partnership received two grants - for drug addiction prevention in rural areas and for fitness machines for AIDS infected persons. They will visit the fitness club at no pay and others for moderate charges which also will be used for assistance to sick people.

By the way, the latter project was not supported by the city administration, says Centre director Valery Epov, and they had to seek for support at the regional level.

One of this year's grant recipients is NGO "Children's Planet." It was set up 5 years ago and trains maternity conscious persons to new methods of early child development.

Upon listening to sincere thanks from grant beneficiaries, Mr. Westdal said: "Our contribution to these remarkable projects is moderate. The main thing is to do something oneself rather than hope for the society."

After that, the Canadian diplomat met with a "ZR" journalist.

- I started working in Moscow in September and would like to learn more about Russia as a whole. But it's difficult to do so staying in Moscow. Both Canada and Russia are Pacific powers, though for a long time were focused on Europe. I believe we should cooperate more actively at a regional level. We have a great potential not used so far.

I spoke at FSNU to students studying Canada. I would like to recommend them to spend more time on the western part of Canada. Because if asked what Russia is, a resident of Montreal, Ottawa or Toronto situated in the east of Canada, would reply: Moscow or St. Petersburg. And the most likely answer on the west coast will be Vladivostok or Sakhalin. Indeed, being in Vladivostok I am much closer to my home in Canada than when I'm in Moscow.

There is a whole range of issues that link us. Same as the Russians, we have to cross great distances, adapt to and live in cold climatic conditions. We also have vast unpopulated territories. We have good examples of creating transport infrastructures. Same as in Russia, we had to build our economy based on natural resources and make new economic sectors successful.

- What Canadian-invested project in Russia do you think is most successful?

- Of course, this is construction sector. We built much in recent years - in Yakutia, Magadan, on Sakhalin, Chukotka, in Primorsky Krai. One of brilliant examples is the Vlad Motor Inn hotel.

- Still, the greater portion of investments goes to Sakhalin. I know that you will visit Sakhalin after Primorsky Krai.

- Yes, we don't wish to stay aside. During my visit to Sakhalin, a delegation representing more than 20 companies willing to get a foothold there will come to Sakhalin. They are construction contractors, service providers in oil and gas production. They have experience in training and education, environmental activities.

By the way, the Molikpaq oil production platform operating off Sakhalin was designed by a company from West Canada. Before deployment off Sakhalin it had worked in the Canadian Arctic.

On Saturday, before leaving for Sakhalin, the Canadian diplomat came to Nakhodka. He visited Piligrim company manufacturing structural elements for roofs and wall panels at the facility "Canadian Framework Roofs." These elements are delivered to Sakhalin as well. Then, Amb. Westdal visited Vrangel, where a plant is operated, jointly with Garneau Inc. from Canada, for coating oil and gas line pipes also for Sakhalin offshore projects. - Irina DROBYSHEVA.

ANADYR WILL HAVE ONE MORE INTEGRATED FOOD PROCESSING FACILITY

The new food processing facility in Anadyr, Chukotka is expected to be completed in spring and produce 300 kg of bread, pasta, fermented milk and sausage products per day.

Client for this construction is OAO Chukotka SelkhozCorporatia. It is the peninsula's main food producer with an annual output of up to 2,500 tons of bread, pasta and milk products. It built three workshops in Anadyr during last year - for milk packing, water purification and farm product processing.

However, the bulk of food is brought to Chukotka from other parts of Russia and abroad. The bulk of food products - over 1,500 tons - is supplied to Anadyr by ChukotOptTorg. Local residents can buy food in 28 food and mixed stores. Goods turnover in 2003 exceeded 4.5 billion rubles, which was about 200 million rubles more than in 2002. - Yulia PROKHOROVA.

KOREAN-LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED IN PRIMORSKY KRAI

A new publication appeared in Ussuriisk - region-level newspaper Koryo Sinmum ("Korean Newsapaper"), founded by the National Cultural Korean Autonomy of Ussuriisk.

As the publisher says, due to various reasons the Korean Diaspora of Primorsky Krai did not have any permanent mass medium for a long time, though about 15,000 Korean nationals live in Ussuriisk alone according to latest data.

NOTE: Before 1937, 6 newspapers and 7 magazines were being published in Korean language in Primorsky Krai. One of editorial offices, "Syonbon," found itself in Kzyl-Orda, Kazakhstan after "the great resettlement." This publication was resumed in May 1938 under the name of "Lenin Kichi" (Lenin's Route), and the rest publications never came back to life. The Lenin Kichi was being published over 50 years, but the paradox is that the post-WWII generation of Koreans could not read their mother language and the young don't speak it even today.

Editor-in-chief of the new publication became Valeria Kim, director of the Arirang arts ensemble. The Koryo Sinmum will be published twice a month with a press run of 2,500 in Russian and Korean languages and circulated in areas of Primorsky Krai having Korean cultural centers, in South and North Koreas, China. - Yulia PROKHOROVA.

FESCO RENOVATES CONTAINER EQUIPMENT

Far Eastern Shipping Company launched a long-term programme of renovating its container equipment, under which old containers shall be replaced for new ones conforming to international standards.

As FESCO spokesman informs, the first container of a new shipment of 40-foot multi-tonnage reefers was fabricated on 27 February. It is expected that the first shipment of 160 units will be put into service in late March. FESCO's clients will be able to use new containers in foreign trade, coastal and international routes. Their structural specific is that they can be used both in the hot climate of tropical ports and at low temperatures. - Yury ROGOV.

ALROSA DRAWS LOAN FROM CANADA

Russia's diamond monopolist ALROSA signed a five-year loan agreement for $15 million with Export Development Corporation (EDC) of Canada, under which equipment delivery will start for management of mining and transport operations.

An essential element of the agreement is that resources and security will be provided against ALROSA'a corporate obligations with no charging instruments of pledge. As ALROSA's press release says, this is the first-ever agreement between EDC and a Russian company.

ALROSA has been buying equipment in Canada during several years, because it is adapted to extreme North conditions. - Yulia PROKHOROVA.