The Northwest Federal District of the Russian Federation has pledged to actively participate in energy cooperation between Russia and China.

Ilya Klebanov, presidential envoy in the Northwest Federal District of the Russian Federation made the remark on Friday at a conference on investment promotion held in Beijing, which resulted in cooperation contracts worth US$1.5 billion between companies from the two countries.

The Northwest Federal District, with rich resources and advanced research capabilities in nuclear energy, will seek partnerships in China, said KChiCebanov.

So far 25 Chinese companies have invested in the district, mainly in areas such as wood processing, paper making, utilization of nuclear energy and infrastructure development, said Klebanov.

The Northwest Federal District has boasted rapid economic growth in recent years. Its oil and gas resources account for 16 percent and 20 percent of Russia's total respectively.

(Xinhua News Agency October 21, 2006)