ASIA-PACIFIC REGION A POWERHOUSE OF GROWTH

VLADIVOSTOK, SEPTEMBER 3 /SRNA/ - The Asia-Pacific region is a powerful growth hub, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"I welcome the participants and guests of the 11th Eastern Economic Forum. This business event traditionally brings together business leaders and experts from dozens of countries in the capital of Primorye," Putin said at the Forum's plenary session.

Putin stressed that Russia is actively involved in investment and trade cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region and cooperates with partners from the region on an equal footing.

He added that Russia's Far East should become a centre of economic growth.

"The Far East has attracted about 25 trillion roubles /$286 billion/ in capital investment over the past 11 years," Putin said, adding that the region is on the rise.

He stressed that the dynamics of key macroeconomic indicators in the Far East are outperforming the Russian average.

The Russian city of Vladivostok on the Pacific coast is hosting the Eastern Economic Forum from September 1 to 4.