Ladies and gentlemen, Your Excellencies, friends,

We are here to open the presentation of yet another Russian region, this time the Kamchatka Territory.

Welcome everyone. I am particularly pleased to see here Irina Yarovaya who represents the Kamchatka Territory in the State Duma. She makes a sizable personal contribution to provide legislative support to our state’s activities in this region in today's challenging circumstances.

We know a lot about Kamchatka, but knowing everything about it is impossible. It’s a region with inexhaustible history, beauty and nature. It has many outstanding qualities. The Kamchatka Territory is one of the most environmentally pristine corners of our planet and Russia’s important outpost in the Far East. This spectacularly beautiful peninsula (I know this for a fact, as I had the good fortune to spend some time there, although not too long), is surrounded on three sides by the Pacific Ocean, the Bering Sea and the Okhotsk Seas, and boasts unparalleled natural landscapes.

It is only natural that tourism has become a powerful driver of the region’s economic growth. The number of guests is growing every year, making Kamchatka a major international tourist destination. Its natural landmarks, such as the Volcanoes of Kamchatka, are on the list of the most visited UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The Kamchatka Territory is Russia’s undisputed leader in extracting and processing bioresources.  You could see it for yourself at the exhibition here. Introducing and developing biotechnologies for the production of highly popular products such as collagen and Omega-3 could well be its export specialisation. The results of investing and private sector activities can be clearly seen. Frankly, I was utterly amazed to see a booth displaying a Russian medication made from wild Kamchatka salmon. This is the epitome of import substitution in healthcare, health promotion and preventive care which are one of the most important areas of life.

Kamchatka will see economic and investment opportunities expand following the Northern Sea Route’s expansion. There’s a map as you enter this auditorium which shows its prospects in detail. The region has every chance to become a transport and logistics hub and to significantly increase foreign economic cooperation with the Asia-Pacific region. Governor Vladimir Solodov told me Kamchatka's neighbours - neighbours in the broadest geographical sense, including the countries of Southeast Asia - are showing interest in its economic, tourism and environmental potential.

It is gratifying to see the regional leadership pay so much attention to expanding international exchanges. I’m talking about the Asia-Pacific region in general. We have observed a significant increase in Kamchatka's exports to the CIS countries, primarily the Republic of Belarus, as well as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia. This trend is part of the common efforts, which, upon President Putin’s instruction and in accordance with the new Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation, we are undertaking in order to improve relations with the friendly nations of the Global South which constitute the Global Majority. The Foreign Ministry will continue to support the region and Governor Solodov’s focus on looking for new promising foreign partners. We will continue to encourage our foreign missions (embassies and consulates general) to provide the Kamchatka Territory with every bit of assistance it may need in order to unlock its massive economic, recreational and environmental potential.

Today, we have the opportunity to get to know the economic, investment and tourism opportunities offered by Kamchatka. I’m sure the presentation will serve as an excellent platform for discussing promising initiatives and undertakings.

I’m convinced that representatives of the embassies in the audience will take note of the opportunities Kamchatka has to offer and make them known to their capitals.

I encourage everyone here (ambassadors and your leaders in the capitals) to plan a visit to Kamchatka. I cannot speak for the Governor, but I’m sure you will be offered the warmest welcome.