Smolensk region is ready to cooperate with the Japanese business

Michael Pitkevich, First Deputy Governor held a meeting with the director of independent non-profit organization "Japan Center" Shoichi Kurosaki and his advisor Vladimir Ovsyannikov. The two sides discussed the possibility of attracting Japanese investors in the Smolensk.

One of the activities of ANO "Japan Center" is in furtherance of Russian and Japanese companies interested in developing cooperation and the search for possible business partners.  Representatives of this organization told the vice-governor of the monthly meetings of the Russian-Japanese Business Club, in which region got the opportunity to present their investment potential to the representatives of Japan's largest companies.

"Weare ready to support serious investors who will come to territory of Smolensk region - said Michael Pitkevich. - Provide preferential tax and address issues related to connecting to the utility, electricity. We do not just declare, we are really ready to do it. Given our geographical location - we are in fact a corridor between Europe and the largest market and the logistics center of Moscow - some companies, in my opinion, would be interested in the region and the resources are available to it".

As for cooperation with the Japanese business exactly, so according to Michael Pitkevich Smolensk region can be a convenient transit point for cargo: cargo by water comes to Vladivostok, then by train through Russia  in our region is loaded on trucks and shipped to Europe. This alternative way takes 15-17 days, while on th eship-from 40 up to 60 days.

In addition to discussion of interaction in attracting of investors, the parties agreed to continue cooperation for management training as part of the President's program. ANO "Japan Center" promotes this program: conducting lectures and seminar courses in Russia seconded by Japanese experts and organize two-week training in Japan, 33 natives of Smolensk became already participants of this training.