A region in Russia’s Far East is seeking to boost trade with North Korea by setting up a new trade promotion body, local authorities said, ahead of the opening of a cross-border road bridge between their two countries.

Primorsky Krai plans to establish a working group under its Vladivostok-based Export Council tasked with “expanding trade turnover” with North Korea, the regional government announced in a readout after a meeting on Wednesday.

The new body will support local businesses already working with or looking into entering the DPRK market. It will also advise firms on increasing export volumes and provide guidance