Putin to discuss Far Eastern development in Khabarovsk.

KHABAROVSK, July 31 (Itar-Tass) -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir
Putin arrived in Khabarovsk on Friday to discuss economic development of
the Russian Far East. He has already attended the commencement of the
construction of a 1800-kilometer gas pipeline linking Sakhalin, Khabarovsk
and Vladivostok.

The government press service said issues on the agenda comprise Isuzu
truck project of the Sollers Company, elimination of 2007 earthquake
aftermath in Nevelsk, gas distribution and pipeline construction, energy
efficiency, preparations for APEC summit, shipbuilding industry
development, aircraft projects, and passenger air traffic from the Far
East to European Russia.
As for the Sollers project, the press service said it plans to build a
car assembly facility in Primorye region to produce Isuzu light trucks,
Ssangyong off-road vehicles and Fiat Ducato commercial automobiles.
The project will create new jobs and attract investments. Preparations
are to be completed by the end of the year and production is scheduled to
begin in February 2010.