It gives me a pleasure to address the readers of Hong Kong Commercial Daily newspaper on the occasion of the National Day of Russia.
This day symbolizes Russian people's as-piration for modernising our country, and at the same time, the deep respect for our country's 1000-year great history.
There are still a lot of challenges in the world's politics and the global economy. However, our country used the external challenges to strengthen its economy and secure a continuous growth. Last year the Russian economy transitioned from stagna-tion to growth. Over the past several years, Russia has radically improved its position in the "Doing Business"rating of the World's Bank. First examples of success were demonstrated in the development of the Russian Far East, which is where the most favourable investment climate in the country is being created. For instance, the most recent Eastern Economic Forum held in 2017 in Vladivostok witnessed the signing of hundreds of agreements totalling over USD 40 billion. Russian grain and agriprod-ucts are being exported worldwide. The ex-ports of Russian software have seen a sig-nificant growth. Everyday life in Russia is becoming more comfortable for its citizens. The latest Russian presidential elections held in March this year demonstrated that the Russian domestic and foreign policies enjoy the widest support of the Russian so-ciety.
Today's Eurasian continent, due to the development of such integration mechanisms as the Eurasian Economic Union, China's "Belt and Road"initiative and the Shang-hai Cooperation Organization, is the place where a new space of the political and e-conomic interaction is shaping up. Russia is an active participant of these integration projects. With Russia's unique geographic advantages, we are ready to build a system of new economic ties in Eurasia together with China and other countries. My country invests large amounts into enhancing Eura-sia's transport routes, including the Trans-Siberian Railway and the Northern Sea Route. The Agreement between China and Eurasian Economic Union on Trade and Economic Cooperation signed this May will create favorable conditions for strengthening business ties and developing new projects. I invite Hong Kong and Macau partners to use new business opportunities that are opening in Russia.
Russia and China's strategic partnership relations form a very good basis for a rapid expansion of Russia's cooperation with Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Re-gions. Last year the bilateral trade turnover between Russia and Hong Kong grew by 41%.
Favourable conditions for bilateral eco-nomic and investment ties have been creat-ed by the Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation signed in 2016, and an In-vestment Promotion and Protection Agree-ment to be signed in near future. I am confident that the Hong Kong Government's initiative to open a Hong Kong Trade and Economic Office in Moscow will give a boost to our bilateral economic ties.
We support Hong Kong's efforts to strengthen its role as a major international arbitration centre. I am sure business people from Russia, China and other Asian coun-tries while expanding their business ties can use excellent arbitration experts and facilities that Hong Kong is ready to provide. Tourist exchanges are growing steadily, with Hong Kong and Macau being popular destination for Russian tourists and increas-ing numbers of Hong Kong residents visiting Russia. The launch of Hong Kong - Moscow scheduled flights by Hong Kong Airlines in May will further strengthen the growth in inbound and outbound travel. The "China Friendly"program introduced in many Russian cities is making the stay of Chinese and Hong Kong tourists more com-fortable.
It is a pleasure to note the further ad-vancement of the cultural cooperation with Hong Kong. The city saw a lot of Russian musicians and performers during the Hong Kong Arts Festival as well as on separate occasions. Russian films, both the latest and old classic ones have been screen
ed in cinemas and became part of the interna-tional Film Festivals in Hong Kong. The co-operation between Russia's and Hong Kong's leading museums has seen a steady growth.
I strongly believe that investing in the youth always pays off. Therefore, the Consulate General continues to help Hong Kong's Universities and student groups in organizing educational trips to Russia. It is gratifying to note that such tours have become more fre-quent, including those under the "Belt and Road"programme.
Speaking about sports, the Russian national rugby team every year partic-ipates in the Hong Kong Sevens and the Rugby Cup of Nations showing good results. I cannot but mention the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia, which is just a few days away now. According to estimates, up to a mil-lion of tourists will come to my country to attend matches and travel around the host cities of the championship. By the way, China is among five leading countries, whose citizens have been the most active in buying tickets for the World Cup.
On the occasion of the National Day of Russia, I would like to pass my special greetings to members of the Russian com-munity in Hong Kong, who are very active in promoting the economic and cultural co-operation with Hong Kong.
Among the latest achievements of the Russian compatriots, I would like to mention the first Russian Cultural Week. Organized last October, this festival included numerous vibrant events showcasing different aspects of the Russian culture. This year the organ-isers plan to extend it to an entire month and call it the Russian Autumn Festival with a perspective to be held annually. A noble tradition of Russian Charity Balls has been successfully revived and next year will mark the 10th anniversary since the first Russian Ball in Hong Kong. The Slavic Celebration concert was another memorable event orga-nized this May by the Russian Sound Music Academy. I am pleased to invite everyone to attend these cultural events to learn more about Russia and, probably, get additional motiva-tion to visit my beautiful country to enjoy its exceptional beauty and hospitality.
Mr. Alexander V. KozlovConsul General of the Russian Federation in the Hong Kong SAR and the Macao SAR of the People's Republic of China
