The 17,000 inhabitants of Baikalsk are now considering their future as the plant was the economic lifeline of the town. Most of the 2,280 millworkers have been made redundant. Environmental concerns had forced the mill to adopt a cleaner but costlier mode of production. Workers believed their livelihood was at risk for an abstract ecological threat they considered exaggerated.

The 13th Far Eastern International Exhibition “Daltour-2009” took place on May 21-22 in Vladivostok. New participants represented the tourist industry of Mongolia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia. “Daltour” is the biggest and the most representative travel exhibition in the Russian Far East. Participation in the exhibition and the conference were expected to help the countries to establish new business relations and extend tourist connections.

Leading tour operators and agencies from the Far East, Siberia and the Pacific Rim countries (China, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan and other countries) were all represented at the exhibition.

Gazprom has committed to starting construction of the main gas pipeline “Sakhalin-Khabarovsk-Vladivostok” in Primorsky Krai which will enable gas supply to 34 municipal regions of the territory. The major works should start in the first half of 2009 and the pipeline network should be completed in 2011. The Federal government approved plan envisages using gas in small and large energy sectors and to supply residential customers with gas. The Governor of Primorsky Krai Sergey Darkin believes that gas supply will allow a change in Primorye economics because of new high-technology and power-intensive industries.

Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling postponed the opening of its plant in Russia until April or May next year, citing documentation delays. Construction of the factory, in the southern region of Rostov, had been planned to be complete by the end of this year.

Seven suppliers to Hyundai Motor signed an agreement with the municipal government of St. Petersburg to build a $200 million car-parts plant. The group will create a manufacturing park in St. Petersburg's Kamenka industrial zone to supply Hyundai’s assembly plant. The planned components venture is expected to become operational by the second half of 2010.