 Alaska will Host West Coast-Russian Far East Working Group Meeting September 04, 2002
The three -day conference focuses on trade between American West Coast states and the Russian Far East, and on cross-border relations with Russia. More than 300 Russian and American business and government leaders are expected to attend the conference at the Anchorage Sheraton Hotel. Gov. Tony Knowles will kick off the conference with a Governors' Leadership Summit Sept. 17, designed to give governors and other top government leaders opportunities to explore improved ties in the areas of business, transportation, health care, education and indigenous issues. "In keeping with Alaska's leadership role in strengthening relations with the Russian Far East, we're proud to host this important conference," Knowles said. "It provides Alaska industry leaders great opportunities to develop and expand business in Russia and show off Alaska's example of doing development right." The five Russian governors expected to attend are: Igor Farkhutdinov of Sakhalin; Vladimir Loginov of the Koryak Autonomous Region; Mikhail Mashkovtsev of Kamchatka; Victor Ishaev of Khabarovsk Krai; and Roman Abramovich of Chukotka Autonomous Region. Gov. Farkhutdinov is bringing a 22-person Sakhalin delegation, and Khabarovsk Gov. Ishaev is bringing a 26-person delegation. U.S. Ambassador to Russia Alexander Vershbow will attend much of the conference, moderate the Governors' Summit and give the opening keynote address on Sept. 18. Peter Hale, Executive Director of Market Access and Compliance for the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration, will serve as the U.S. Co-chair of the meeting and deliver remarks on U.S.-Russian trade and investment as well as commercial issues between the West coast and the Russian Far East. Other high-ranking officials who will attend the conference include:
One major components of the conference will be a Russian Far East Oil & Gas Development Symposium on Sept. 18, featuring presentations by executives from the Sakhalin oil projects, including Exxon Neftegas Director General Tom Hall, who will report on the largest foreign direct investment project in Russia - in Sakhalin. Top officials from Chevron Neftegas, BP Sakhalin, Rosneft and Sibneft also will participate. One full day, Sept. 17, will be devoted to seminars and workshops on Russian Far East programs, including USAID assistance programs, rebuilding Alaska-RFE aviation transportation infrastructure, sister city relations, navigating the visa system, a new Khabarovsk-Alaska Rule of Law project, tourism, training, micro-finance and business development and many other topics. Working group sectors will also focus on regional issues in mining, forestry, fisheries, legislative reform, finance, telemedicine and other areas for cooperation with the Russian Far East. A highlight of the event will be an Alaska reception at the Alaska Native Heritage Center to spotlight Alaska Native cultures. The entire conference will highlight Alaska's extensive Russian Far East connections and cooperation while seeking to further enhance productive cross-border activities. The Anchorage conference is the first in the eight-year history of this working group to attract an ambassador and so many Russian Far East governors and top-ranked policy-makers. Secretary of State Colin Powell, in a letter to Gov. Knowles, said: "Your work and that of the people of Alaska have been tremendously important in strengthening relations with the Russian Far East. As we move forward with Russia to broaden our people-to-people bonds, I hope that meetings and working groups such as this will continue and expand."
In addition to Alaska's participation, Washington, Oregon and California are involved in this working group. Delegations from a dozen provinces of the Russian Far East - Chukotka, Koryak, Kamchatka, Sakhalin, Magadan, Khabarovsk, Primorsky (Vladivostok), Sakha (Yakutia), Amur, Chita, Buryatia and the Jewish Autonomous Region - have been invited to take part. The conference is open to the public and all Alaskans with connections to the Russian Far East or interested in becoming involved are encouraged to participate. The registration fee ($395 for the full 3-day event or $125 for the Sept. 17 seminar day only) covers conference events, presentations, translations and interpretation, meals, receptions, coffee breaks and informational materials.
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