Russian-Canadian Business Conference postponed until end of 2003

The international conference Natural resources for the future, joint projects in the Komi Republic is being postponed until the end of 2003. This decision was taken by Head of the Komi Autonomous Republic Vladimir Torpolov on the recommendation of Russian and Komi health services.

The Russian-Canadian business conference was supposed to take place at the beginning of June. However, restrictions have been imposed on events involving foreigners in Russia in view of the SARS epidemic. About 40 people were expected to arrive in Komi from Canada but they would have had to undergo a clinical examination in Russia.

Mr Torpolov wrote to Canadian Ambassador to Russia Rodney Irwin explaining the situation. The conference may now be held in October or November although 'everything depends on the SARS situation.' About 200 entrepreneurs from Komi, Russia and Canada are expected to attend the conference.

The conference is a part of the four-year project Sustainable Resource Development in the Komi Republic, which was organised in 2000 by Canadian company Jacques Whitford Environment Limited, the Komi Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Protection.