TOP INTERVIEWS In its quest to offer information on global markets World Investment News is proud to present a series of interviews with top political and business personalities from the Far East regions of the Russian Federation. In this first part of a series, we take a look at the Region of Sakhalin. Situated at the easternmost corner of Russia (above Japan), Sakhalin is rich in natural resources such as Oil and Gas and is currently an attractive investment destination for multinationals in the energy sector. This report will therefore announce major investment and joint-venture opportunities to develop lucrative oil and gas fields in order to ensure year-round production and sales. We will also illustrate plans to modernise the island's economy and infrastructure, and highlight the important role that Sakhalin can play in the Asian economy. Good reading! H.E. Mikhail Kasyanov, Prime Minister of Russia Mr. Farkhutdinov, Governor of Sakhalin Region Interview I Mr. David L. Simerka, General Manager, Exxon Ventures (CIS) Inc. Mr. Farkhutdinov, Governor of Sakhalin Region Interview II Mr. Yury V. Motovilov, General Director of "Petrosakh" JSC Mrs. Galina Pavlova, Director, Department of Oil and Gas Complex of the Sakhalin region Mr. Stephen H. McVeigh, CEO of Sakhalin Energy Investment Company LTD. Mr. Vladimir I. Yefremov, Chairman of the Duma of Sakhalin Region Mr. Anatoly Alexeevich Kholodin, Vice-Governor, Oil and Gas & Construction Administration of the Sakhalin Region Mr. Chris Einchcomb, Sakhalin Project Director, Russia Kazakhstan Business Unit, BP Exploration