Canadian companies visit Sakhalin

Representatives of 21 Canadian companies were in Sakhalin in mid-March to discuss the possibility of participating in Russian oil and gas projects, Pravda Online reported March 15.

The Canadian economic mission, which arrived in Sakhalin March 14, was lead by Canada’s Ambassador to Russia, Christopher Westdal.

In a meeting with Sakhalin Governor Ivan Malakhov, Westdal “expressed Canada’s great interest in participating in tenders to build the requisite oil and gas infrastructure, including the construction of social projects,” Pravda reported.

Malakhov recommended Canadian companies enter into joint ventures with Russian companies. According to Pravda he also said that Sakhalin had a positive experience with this practice during the implementation of the Sakhalin-1 and the Sakhalin-2 projects, citing the work of an Australian firm that visited Sakhalin twice last year as an example. The Australian company and its Russian partners reportedly received subcontracts for oil and gas projects worth $20 million.

The Canadian businessmen took part in the two-day seminar – “Conducting Business in Sakhalin” — while on the island.