The recently established bilateral business council set up by Russia and North Korea last month will have its inaugural meeting in February, according to a press release from the Russian Far Eastern Development Ministry seen by the Interfax news agency.

The council is a Russian initiative that will facilitate business transactions between the two countries and help Russian businesses find partners in the DPRK.

“The establishment of this body was suggested by Far Eastern Development Minister, Russian Co-Chair of the Russian-North Korean Intergovernmental Commission for Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation Alexander Galushka and supported by the Chamber of Commerce