In a meeting with Murmansk Oblast Governor Dmitry Dmitriyenko, Head of the Regional Council for Lapland Esko Lotvonen informed that 80 Finnish businessmen will take part in the event, the forum’s web writes.
The first Murmansk International Economic Forum, which will focus on the theme “Arctic in the 21. Century – Development Strategies”, opens in a little more than a month.
French interest towards Murmansk Oblast has increased considerably after Total became partner in the Shtokman Development Company, and the French delegation to the Murmansk Economic Forum will be quite large.
Recently a group of French senators - representatives from nearly all the French regions and parliamentarian fractions – visited Kola Peninsula. The French believe the potential for cooperation with Murmansk Oblast is considerable, especially within energy and tourism. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to appoint an honorary consul for France in Murmansk in 2010.
A delegation from the Canadian province of Newfoundland & Labrador will also take part in the forum. This visit is a continuation of the cooperation that was started when high-ranking representatives from Murmansk visited these parts of Canada in June. The Canadian delegation to Murmansk Economic Forum will be led by Newfoundland & Labrador Minister of Natural Resources Katy Dunderdale.
List of Participants can be found at the forum’s web site
