Russia keen to invest in Assam in key sectors

Guwahati, May 4 (UNI) Russia is eager to invest in oil and gas, tourism, power and infrastructure development sectors in Assam.

Russian Ambassador to India Vyacheslav Trubnikov informed this to Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi at a meeting attended by senior officials of the Russian Federation Government and the Assam Government at the latter's official residence here today.

Mr Trubnikov said that his country wants to develop close ties with the North East India and help the region in the process of its development.

''We want to be partners with the Governments of North Eastern States and help them in the development process,'' he said.

Terming the security scenario in the region, particularly Assam, as conducive for investment, the Russian Ambassador said, ''The threat perception in Assam and other parts of the region is not as much as is shown in the media. The impression of insecurity here is over exaggerated. It is in fact safer than Mumbai.

''That is why we have been directed by President Vladimir Putin to help you in your endeavours to take the state towards the path of progress and development and bring it closer to the Russian society,'' he said.

The Russian Ambassador said it would take efforts to bring in Russian tourists to this part of the country, which has so far remained unknown to them.

''The Russian tourists have many things to see and explore in this part of the country. I will try my utmost to ensure inflow of Russian tourists here, especially at a time when the Year of Russia in India is being celebrated this year.'' At the same time, he urged Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi to showcase the rich tourism potential of the state in the Year of India in Russia next year.

Alexander A Chinyaev, Chief Representative of SISTEMA in India, the largest joint stock financial corporation, said that the corporation has the largest chain of companies under its roof and has evinced keen interests to start businesses in this part of the country in areas like oil and gas, infrastructure development, telecom and tourism. He said SISTEMA has invested 50 billion dollars in India last year and has many plans on the anvil this year for India, including North East.

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