During his working trip to the Southern Federal District, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visited the Narzan Valley health resort, and also was informed on plans for tourism and recreation investment projects in the Stavropol Territory.

The Narzan Valley health resort specialises in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and conditions, in particular, coronary disease, high blood pressure, and lung ailments.

Mr Putin was shown a number of rooms equipped with modern baths, and diagnostic equipment for identifying cardiovascular and other diseases.

In addition, the Prime Minister was informed on plans for with tourism and recreation investment projects in the Stavropol Territory.

He was shown on a display stand the Region of the Razvalka Mountain, a project that can be built in Zheleznovodsk. Under the investment, four health and relaxation spas with a complete hotel, a health resort for treatment of diseases and ailments, entertainment, sports, and service-oriented infrastructure for 5,000 people are planned for construction. This project would create about 3,500 jobs.

Mr Putin was told that overall investment will amount to about one billion dollars, and that the investor will fund the construction of the entire infrastructure.

The Prime Minister also heard about the Grand Spa Yutsa, which will consist of a recreational, health and active tourism complex catering for 4,500 people. There are plans to launch the construction of this project in 2010, and to commission it in 2012.

Mr Putin asked what budget funds will be required for its construction. According to one of the project's representatives, the required sum is approximately two billion dollars. The Prime Minister was also told about the construction of the Manych-Gudilo environmentally friendly steppe park, home to over 400 bird species.