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Sochi to be developed as large resort center after Olympics - Putin

The Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi should be developed as a large resort centre after the XXII Olympic Winter Games it is currently hosting, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday

Putin in Sochi (archive) ITAR-TASS/ Mikhail

Putin in Sochi (archive)

© ITAR-TASS/ Mikhail

NOVO-OGARYOVO, February 12. /ITAR-TASS/. The Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi should be developed as a large resort centre after the XXII Olympic Winter Games it is currently hosting, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday.

The head of state met with government members and told them of his Monday’s meeting with Sochi’s Public Council. One of the issues discussed was “Sochi’s possible participation in programs to develop domestic tourism.”

Putin said it was hardly expedient to include Sochi in that program, saying the program mainly envisioned funds for infrastructure development - roads, bridges, hotel industry, whereas Sochi has enough of infrastructural facilities, built for the Olympics that will run until February 23.

But this, Putin said, “does not mean that we should not develop the city as a large Russian resort centre, a sports centre.”

He proposed that the government “consider ways for the city to participate in other development programs, including those concerning healthcare, education, sports etc.”

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said in January prior to the Games that Olympic facilities in Sochi should be used reasonably after the Olympics, and efforts should be made to make Sochi the country’s best holiday destination.

Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak told journalists in January that the Olympics would cost the country some $6.4 billion.

-0-kis/usn

View ITAR-TASS archive photos: http://go.tassphoto.

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