Russian Business Day kicked off on Thursday in Harbin, capital city of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, attracting more than 5,500 government officials and companies representatives from Russia.

 

A total of US$2.48 billion worth of business contracts covering the electro mechanical industry, forestry, real estate, minerals exploration and energy resources were signed on the first day of the five-day event, according to the organizing committee.

 

Chinese and Russian officials and businessmen will also hold forums to explore cooperation opportunities in border trade and transportation, timber processing and banking.

 

Chinese State Councilor Chen Zhili said at the opening ceremony that the event will help facilitate the bilateral trade and economic cooperation as the two countries share a 4,300-kilometer border.

 

Russian Business Day is an important event of the 17th International China Harbin Fair for Trade and Economic Cooperation which runs from June 15 to 19.

 

(Xinhua News Agency June 16, 2006)