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The Governor met with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to the Russian Federation during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

Oleg Melnichenko stressed that our country was the first state to recognize the sovereignty of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Currently, the Penza Oblast is interested in strengthening cooperation with the DPRK.

"I would like to note that our region is increasing its industrial potential. Industrial production in the Penza Oblast increased by 14% in 2023, and by 15% in the first three months of 2024," Oleg Melnichenko said.

"In agriculture, for several years in a row, we have been receiving record grain harvests for our agricultural zone, which was 3 million 400 thousand tons last year. The Penza Oblast is one of the leaders in poultry production in the Russian Federation. It is in our region that every fourth processing machine in Russia is produced," Oleg Melnichenko added.

The parties also discussed the possibility of cooperation in the field of culture and tourism.

"In March of this year, Russia and the DPRK agreed on cultural exchange. There are many high-level folk and pop music groups in the Penza Oblast. The Penza Regional Drama Theater is one of the oldest in Russia. We could include it in the cultural exchange program," Oleg Melnichenko suggested.

"I will report to the management about our negotiations. I think we have a lot of options for cooperation in mechanical engineering. As for agriculture, we can send our delegation to you for an exchange of experience. We are also interested in cooperation in the field of culture and tourism. Our people are very happy to see Russian artists in our country. And Russian tourists became the first to whom the DPRK opened its borders after a break," the ambassador concluded.