On August 4, 2011, A.V. Prokhorenko, Chairman of St.Petersburg Committee for External Relations, met at Smolny with the participants of II Russian-Korean Youth Dialogue.
On August 4, 2011, A.V. Prokhorenko, Chairman of St.Petersburg Committee for External Relations, met at Smolny with the participants of II Russian-Korean Youth Dialogue.
As a part of the conversation, A.V. Prokhorenko referred to the history of Russo-Korean diplomatic relations that celebrated the 20th anniversary in 2010, and noted that St.Petersburg, being a world-recognized center for Korean Studies, had a special role in the development of relations between the two countries.
A.V.Prokhorenko presented the main indicators of trade cooperation between the Northern Capital of Russia and the Republic of Korea, which showed a steady increase over the past 5 years, with the exception of 2009 when there was a slight decline in trade volumes as a result of the global financial crisis.
As a main example of bilateral investment cooperation, AV Prokhorenko mentioned the opening of “Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Rus”, Russia’s first foreign car-producing full-cycle plant in the industrial zone “Kamenka” in 2010, and noted the great potential of Petersburg-Korean partnership in the area of innovation and high technologies within an overall program to modernize the Russian economy.
He also stressed a positive trend of cooperation in the area of tourism. In 2010, 17.7 thousand inhabitants of the Republic of Korea visited St.Petersburg, including 13.1 thousand with tourist purposes, which showed an increase of 2.5 thousand and 1.2 thousand, respectively.
A.V. Prokhorenko also paid much attention to cultural and humanitarian cooperation, telling about the numerous activities undertaken by the city administration and the Consulate General of Republic of Korea and devised to make Petersburgers familiar with the history, culture, and traditions of the Land of Morning Calm.
The Dialogue participants were presented in detail the main achievements of St.Petersburg as the industrial, scientific, educational, innovative, and transportation and logistics center of Russia, and the promising areas of mutually beneficial Petersburg-Korean cooperation and efforts of city government on their development were indicated.
In conclusion, A.V. Prokhorenko wished every success to the II Russo-Korean Youth Dialogue and expressed his hope for their active assistance to further strengthen Russo-Korean cooperation.