With the assistance of its Governor,
Irkutsk Oblast opened the Irkutsk International Exhibition Center
and the Baikal Business Center to increase and improve its international
business contacts. Three general interest and 22 specialized exhibitions
and fairs attracted approximately 170,000 attendees and 3,000
exhibitors in 1996 - twice as many as participated in 1995. Companies
from over 30 countries took part in exhibition events. One of
the most positive and anticipated consequences was that the Oblast's
1996 turnover of foreign trade increased by $15 million compared
to that in 1995.