Springboard for Entry into European Markets - 28 March, 2003

Representatives of the Chinese province of Heilongjiang are looking at the Kaliningrad Special Economic Zone as a potential springboard for their goods into Europe and are prepared to set up production in the region. This was announced on Wednesday, March 26 in Kaliningrad by Wang Li Min, the deputy chairman of the province's People's Government, during a ceremony to sign a protocol of intentions on cooperation between the two regions.

Wang Li Min is heading a delegation from Heilongjiang province which arrived in Kaliningrad on March 26. As well as official figures, the delegation includes businessmen. The programme for the three-day visit includes learning about the Special Economic Zone, and meetings and talks with Governor Vladimir Yegorov, leading figures from the regional administration, customs and tax officials, and representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and local business. The delegation also plans to visit commercial and industrial enterprises in the region and give a presentation of the Harbin trade and industry fair.

'The trade and economic ties between our regions have a big future,' said Wang Li Min., although so far on USD 52 million of the Kaliningrad Region's USD 2 billion annual trade turnover is with China. The majority of trade with China involves imports of equipment, meat, and toys. Governor Vladimir Yegorov believes that this is not an accurate reflection of the potential opportunities for collaboration with Chinese regions. As an example of such opportunities he gave the Telebalt factory, where every third Russian television, every seventh vacuum cleaner, and other household appliances are assembled from parts supplied by China.