Putin urges Japanese companies to invest in Russia

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin called on Japanese investors Monday to invest in various Russian industries, ITAR-TASS reported.

Putin was speaking at a Russian-Japanese business forum during a visit to Japan.

In particular, Putin urged Japanese companies to participate in the processing of timber and mineral resources in Russia, including the construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant and other gas processing facilities in the Primorsky Region. He also called on Japanese companies to take part in the preparation for the 2014 Winter Olympics in the Russian city of Sochi.

Putin also said Russia and Japan would sign an agreement on nuclear cooperation.

Additionally, he called on Japanese investors to take part in the construction of the East Siberia-Pacific Ocean oil pipeline and to build facilities in Russia’s Far East jointly with aluminum producer United Company RUSAL.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Japanese company Mitsui Bussan said Monday that Mitsui Bussan and J-Power Co, another Japanese company, would consider building a wind power plant in Russia’s Far East.