N. Korea unveils list of its firms that is allowed foreign investment in Rason S

North Korea has unveiled a detailed plan to develop one of its special economic zones.
The regime aims to rake in foreign investment to its companies operating in the zone， with experts saying that this in part shows the North′s willingness to open up to the global market.
Connie， you have the blueprint of North Korea′s ambitious plan？ Located close to both China and Russia is North Korea′s Rason Special Economic Zone， or formerly called the Rajin －Sonbong Special Economic Zone.
And for the first time， Pyongyang has revealed the list of North Korean companies that would operate there with the help of foreign investment.
A total of ten locations including botanical gardens and beaches have been designated to be developed as tourist attractions.
Nine manufacturing and logistics areas have been chosen to be developed as industrial districts.
Roughly 15－point－ five billion U.S. dollars will be funneled into the project with about six－point－three billion dollars poured into developing tourist attractions and nine－point－2 billion dollars put into developing industrial districts.
With a district for international meetings receiving the largest investment， North Korea has its eyes fixed on developing the Meetings， Incentive Travel， Conventions and Exhibitions， or the MICE industry.

North Korea has previously announced its guidelines related to taxation and investment in the Rason Special Economic Zone.
But this time the regime has confirmed a comprehensive development plan to turn the area into a regional logistics hub.
The reclusive regime designated the Rason Special Economic Zone in 1991 aimed at luring foreign investment， but little progress was made mainly due to the North′s provocations... including nuclear and missile tests.
With the completion of its comprehensive plan for the special economic zone， analysts say Pyongyang is showing strong willingness to open up parts of the regime.

″North Korea is in dire need of foreign investment in its special economic zone.
Confirming the comprehensive plan is part of the regime′s move to actively acquire investment from foreign corporations.″
Other North Korean watchers say the regime is trying to make major leaps in the economic front ahead of its rare communist party meeting in May.
But what′s really needed for the regime is guarantee that foreign companies would not end up withdrawing capital due to unexpected provocations.
Experts suggest financial support to companies on a government level would be the first step in starting cash flow to North Korean firms.
Connie Kim， Arirang News.