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The President began his working trip at a geothermal station located on the outskirts of Yuzhno-Kurilsk, and noted that it is a good example of small energy facility development, as the production cost of electricity generated at such stations is three times lower than that produced at diesel-powered stations. Mr Medvedev spoke with a duty officer at the station, and one of the matters raised was the expansion of television broadcasting in the area. Currently, the Kuril Islands’ residents receive only four channels, but the introduction of digital broadcasting would expand the local package to twenty TV channels.

The President then visited the Yuzhno-Kurilsk Fish Plant, which processes around 110 tons of fish a day. Governor of Sakhalin Region Alexander Khoroshavin, who accompanied the President, noted that there are some problems at the moment in supplying the plant’s products to the mainland. Mr Medvedev said that he would instruct his Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District to look into this situation.

Mr Medvedev inspected the quay under construction in Yuzhno-Kurilsk Bay. The first stage of construction has been completed with a wharf built and energy supply lines installed. A three-storey passenger ship terminal will be launched in 2011.

The President also visited the home of a Yuzhno-Kurilsk family and asked their opinion of the situation in the local consumer market and the level of healthcare services.

Mr Medvedev was also shown a newly built kindergarten, which will open in November and offer pre-school education to 110 children.

During his conversation with Sakhalin Region Governor Alexander Khoroshavin, Dmitry Medvedev called for more intensive efforts to improve social conditions for life on the Kuril Islands.