APEC business forum opens in Vladivostok

The International Business Forum of the state members of the Asian-PacificEconomic Cooperation (APEC) opened in Vladivostok today. Within theframework of the forum, on September 4-7, 2002 the 7th Investment Symposiumof APEC will be held, while on September 9-12 the third Annual InvestmentFair will take place. The participants of the forum are planning todiscuss the problems of information telecommunications technologies,cooperation in oil and gas industry, the energy sector development,including such non-traditional energy sources as autonomous energy-savingequipment, bio-technologies as well as the development of new materials andtechnologies. The issues of the banking communications development, the banks' support ofinvestment projects, the investment potential of Siberia and the Far Eastof Russia, the preservation of sea resources and the development of tourismwill also be considered at the forum. The forum is also expected to assessthe APEC countries' experience in supporting small and middle-sizedbusinesses. Additionally, it will analyze the possibilities of attractinginvestments into the railroad, sea and aviation transportation sector. Aspecial attention is expected to be paid by the forum participants to theissues of simplifying customs and frontier procedures for cargotransportation, the Vostok-Media news agency reported. .