The World Bank could open a second Russian office on Russky Island in Vladivostok in the Far East, the regional government said Monday.
Alexander Kostenko, first deputy governor of the Primorye region, signed a memorandum of understanding with World Bank officials, a statement on the regional government's website said.
The World Bank's Russia chief, Michal Rutkowski, was quoted in the statement as saying, "the Far East has promising connections with the Asia-Pacific region, and this potential should be utilized."
Vladivostok has been off the World Bank's menu to date because of the bank's policy of housing representative offices in a country's capital city only. But Russia is a "special country," Rutkowski said, and the bank is considering establishing a small office in the Primorye region, which is almost 6,500 kilometers east of Moscow as the crow flies.
Kostenko, meanwhile, pledged the assistance of the local government in setting up the office.
See also:
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
