In an interview with the Commercial News weekly, Omsk Region Governor Viktor Nazarov said that, despite the sanctions, there has been a positive trend in investment in the region's economy since last year.
"According to the Bank of Russia, the total volume of foreign investment in the Omsk Region's economy increased by almost 68% in 2016. As of January 1, 2017, accumulated foreign direct investment amounted to $619 million. This is the 4th place among the regions of the Siberian Federal District and the 39th place in Russia as a whole," the Governor said.
The head of the region explained that according to the methodology of the Bank of Russia, only direct investments are taken into account without reinvestment of existing companies with foreign capital, although investors continue to operate.
According to Viktor Nazarov, more than 500 companies with Kazakh, Chinese, German, Belarusian and Uzbek capital operate in the Omsk region.
The head of the region gave several examples of mutually beneficial cooperation with foreign partners: "Recently, a new production of flat glass was opened by a Chinese-Omsk joint venture, and the first batch was released. Negotiations are coming to an end with another investor from China who wants to build a woodworking plant in the Omsk region. He needs 3,000 square meters to accommodate the equipment."
Governor Viktor Nazarov also announced plans for the implementation of investment projects with the involvement of foreign capital.: "Next year, the German concern Wolf System will launch the production of prefabricated wooden houses in the Azov region. The commissioning works are underway there now."