President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon.
The Eastern Economic Forum is coming to a close, as you know. I would say holding it here benefits the entire region, the Far East and the Primorye Territory.
We started in 2012 by holding a major event here, the APEC Leaders’ Week, as you remember. This gave an impetus to the region’s development and helped us propel the advancement on a variety of tracks.
Conventions such as the Eastern Economic Forum create additional development factors, attract investment and give us the opportunity to show the potential investors – both Russian and foreign friends and partners – the region’s capabilities and, consequently, to develop it.
Now the event is over, and the guests have left. We have the opportunity to calmly talk about issues and problems that are most important for the people who live in the Far East, live here in Primorye – not related to the forum, but to the current realities.
That is all I wanted to say at the beginning. I would like you to ask your questions now and make proposals. I think each one of you has a lot to say.
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