Governor of Primorye Krai Oleg Kozhemyako
Photo: Konstantin OLKHIN.
… – Oleg Nikolaevich, hello! I wanted to say “good evening”, but it was more like good night, right? It’s already late at night…
– No, 2 hours. It’s not that deep, but it’s nighttime.
– The main event of today was, of course, the first working day in Vladivostok, at the Eastern Economic Forum, of President Vladimir Putin, who arrived from Ulaanbaatar…
– The President began his working day by inspecting the site in Promezhutochnaya Bay, intended for the construction of a large civil shipyard.
Well, and then there were reports from the fleet commander and the flotilla commanders. Inspection of the ship.
-Have you already spoken personally with the president?
– Yes, I just finished a meeting with Vladimir Vladimirovich and he is still working.
Considering that the President arrived to us between 6 and 7 am (local time – AG), at 12 midnight he started to work actively, and now it is 2 am and he continues with the meetings…
So we are still, as they say, in “children’s time” compared to the tone that the president is setting for us.
– It’s empty. Well, how is Vladimir Vladimirovich in the mood? You were nearby all the time, reporting to him…
– The main content of the reports is how the tasks of developing transport infrastructure and building medical institutions are being fulfilled.
The issues of accelerating the pace of construction of housing and roads, and improving the electricity grid were also discussed. They also talked about building new sports facilities and attracting Primorye residents to active sports.
The President has given instructions on all these issues. Therefore, we will now work directly with those ministers and deputy prime ministers to whom they are assigned.
– Well, there was also a special emphasis in the President’s words when he spoke about a special military operation, about his guys, the marines. And, judging by the television reports, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief spoke with warmth and gratitude about the residents of Primorye.
“Today we have many guys at the front, the President knows many of the commanders of the formations and communicates with them by phone. I recently spoke with the commander of the famous 155th brigade. And while he was here with us, Vladimir Vladimirovich first of all asked about the living conditions of military families.
The fleet commander informed him about the construction of housing in a new microdistrict. For our part, we are now starting to build a school, we are completing the design and we will finish the construction of a sports and recreation complex there. The task before us is to increase the volume of housing construction specifically for the military. Therefore, we will act in such a way that immediately, from the very beginning, social infrastructure is created and comfortable and convenient housing is built.
We will now coordinate all matters with the Ministry of Defence and begin designing in 2025, and then directly move on to building new housing.
– It’s empty. You’ve probably already been able to feel the atmosphere of the Eastern Economic Forum.
– Of course, it is already in full swing.
There were many round tables on the first day. The opening took place the day before and there is already a lot of activity in many places today.
There, in my opinion, about 14 meetings were held. And, of course, the most important issues of the development of the Far East and the country as a whole were discussed everywhere.
Vladivostok, as the Eastern Gate of Russia, is very interesting for everyone.
Only four sessions on tourism were held, including the main ones: on the development of the Khasan region, on the Five Seas complex and on tourist sites on the shores of Lake Baikal.
Investors from Primorsky resorts were present.
– And in general, do you feel that political and economic life, is all this somehow concentrated there, in your country, these days, at the Eastern Economic Forum? How do you feel?
– Of course, our president is himself a generator of many ideas, like a magnet he attracts both companies and foreigners, and everyone comes and everyone understands the importance of these moments.
Agreements are made here, negotiations are held here. The President himself held numerous meetings with foreign delegations, with our ministers, with governors, with session moderators, to understand what is being talked about, what is being discussed in the panel sessions…
That’s why there’s so much life here, I mean, it started in the morning, and at 2 a.m. I’m driving home and the president is still working.
– Well, I guess the question is this. If my memory serves me right, I think this is the ninth Eastern Economic Forum. You have participated in almost all the forums. Is there any difference between this one and the previous congresses?
– Well, remember, at one point we were stopped by a pandemic, when there were very strict health regulations. Now, of course, it’s easier.
At the time, some thought that Western sanctions would be an impediment to holding such a forum. However, as we see, today we have around 70 participating countries and in total we welcome around 7 thousand people to the current forum.
The states of the Asia-Pacific region are ready to establish contacts and look at prospects for cooperation with Russia and the Far East. That is why our EEF is becoming stronger and more powerful every year.
The forum in Primorye is full of new projects. Just a few hours ago, a plant for producing polymeric materials for pipe production was opened. And a grand opening ceremony was also held at the modern port “Sukhodol”.
There will be other premieres.
– Well, probably the last question, you just need to rest. This forum is the ninth in a row. How many more VEF are needed so that the Far East finally stops losing population, so that people do not leave the Far East, not Primorye, but, on the contrary, come here from all over Russia? Or is this process already underway?
– That’s what I mean. There has been a shift towards the East and the forum is, among other things, a locomotive for the development of the Far East.
This is a very attractive moment for investors and for people in general: the realization that our region is not so far away. This is where great things are happening today. This is the first one.
– And the second one?
– The sun is rising here in Dalny!
There are nearby states that have wonderful names: the Land of Morning Freshness (DPRK) and the Land of the Rising Sun, the Celestial Empire. (China)
And here’s what’s interesting: We are now starting to look at mobile numbers, numbers that have been registered in our region for more than a year. And in Vladivostok we see: an increase of about 50 thousand subscribers – not random, but permanent.
In general, the capital of Primorye is becoming the centre of development of all integration processes taking place between the Russian Federation and the countries of the Asia-Pacific region.
– Thank you very much, Oleg Nikolaevich. And I wish you success, both personally and for the forum. We continue to closely follow the events taking place in the Primorsky region, in particular in Vladivostok.
– Thank you, all the best.
– Happy.
– Bye bye.
