OREANDA-NEWS. November 29, 2011. On November, 25 signing of agreements within the framework of the forum Investments in the Future and the final press conference took place in the Government of Karelia. The first Karelian international forum Investments in the Future held in Petrozavodsk on November, 24-25 became the major and the most significant event for the region.

Among the forum participants there were President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian Presidential Envoy to the Northwest Federal District Nikolay Vinnichenko, governors of regions of the Northwest, more than 1400 guests from eleven countries – representatives of the authority, business, cultural and public organizations.

Within the scope of the forum there have been held round table discussions, business meetings, discussions and negotiations, presentations of investment projects; modular exhibition was established in the center of Petrozavodsk which has helped participants and guests of the forum see the potential of Karelia. According to the participants of Karelian forum, it may become a true brand of the republic and another leading platform in the Northwest to discuss issues of regional development.

Of course, the immediate result of the forum is achievement of specific arrangements, signing of contracts, agreements, memorandums. The key contract signed at the forum was the contract between the Republic of Karelia and Gazprom. On November, 24 in the presence of President of Russia Head of the republic by Andrei Nelidov and Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller put their signatures under this document so important for Karelia.

On the eve and on the first day of work of the forum there have been also signed the memorandum of partnership between the Government of Karelia and Vasterbotten County Administrative Board, the agreement between The Corporation for Development of the Republic of Karelia Inc. and a famous auditing company Ernst and Young Ltd, the memorandum of cooperation between the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Physical Training, Sports and Tourism of Karelia and the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sports and Tourism of the Arkhangelsk region. There has been also signed an important protocol on intentions between the Government of the republic and Russian Railways Inc. on the organization of railway transportation service on sites of Lendery-Sukkozero and Juskozero-Ledmozero. According to the arrangement, railway communication on the site of Lendery-Sukkozero and on the site of Juskozero-Ledmozero will renew since December, 1.

On the second day of the forum, on November, 25, several more agreements were signed in the Government of Karelia.

Thus, with a view of preservation and development of musical art in the republic Head of Karelia Andrei Nelidov and Chairman of the Union of Composites of Russia Vladislav Kazenin have signed the cooperation agreement between the Government of the republic and the Union of Composites of Russia for the period of five years.

Besides, the agreement between The Corporation for Development of the Republic of Karelia Inc. and the Сenter for Public-Private Partnership Development of Moscow, as well as a protocol on intentions of the Ministry of Economic Development of the republic and Byelomorsk Seaport Joint-Stock Company on implementation of the investment project of construction of a deep-water seaport in Byelomorsk till 2015 was signed.

Upon signing agreements took place the final press conference in which Head of Karelia Andrei Nelidov, Alexander Voronov, Minister of Youth Affairs, Physical Training, Sports and Tourism of the republic, and Andrei Smirnov, Director General of The Corporation for Development of the Republic of Karelia have taken part.

Andrei Nelidov, first of all, has noted that the forum Investments in the Future is a significant event for Karelia, indeed. The republic has a huge economic, natural and human potential, Head of Karelia has emphasized, and it is necessary to be developed. This is what shuch forums are held for.

Journalists have asked how the program of gasification of Karelia will be implemented and whether the republic is able to provide co-financing. According to Andrei Nelidov, the contract with Gazprom is a global agreement that Karelia had had never before. The contract provides gasification of the republic the next 5-6 years.

– We are sure that we have enough strength and funds to perform the contract, – Head of Karelia said, having emphasized that he has reasons for such confidence: this year for the first time in many years revenues of Karelian budget have grown by 15-20%, and in next six regions of the republic should become unsubsidized.

Representatives of mass-media have asked to Andrei Nelidov a question concerning the opportunity to grant Karelia the status of a special tourist and recreational zone.

Head of the republic has answered, that for Karelia that along with development of traditional spheres of its economy such as mining, timber industry and agriculture, intends to develop tourism industry as well, it is a necessary and a very good prospect, and this idea is supported by the President of Russia. Andrei Nelidov has especially emphasized, that Head of the state has instructed the Ministry of Economic Development of the country to consider an opportunity to include the republic in the list of of recreational zones.

Journalists have also asked Head of the republic to comment on signing of agreements that was held before the press conference.

Andrei Nelidov has mentioned that all agreements, and, in particular, the agreement with the Union of Composers of Russia, are of great importance for the republic.

– We wish Karelia to develop as a very harmonious region where industry and tourism develop, and where cultural values are a priority, too, – Andrei Nelidov said.

In conclusion of the press conference, Andrei Nelidov has once again emphasized, that the forum Investments in the Future held in Karelia is a start that will allow the republic to progress and to achieve a higher level of development.