A Welcome Day of special economic zone “Baikal Harbor” and the opening of a winter skiing season at the Bychya (Bull’s) Mountain took place in Turka village, Pribaikalskiy district, Republic of Buryatia on November 17, 2011.
The following events were successfully organized in the framework of the Welcome Day for the guests and residents of the region and Turka village:
- presentation of “Baikal harbor“ Special Economic Zone of tourism and vacation type;
- excursion for the pupils, students of specialized secondary educational establishments and graduates around  the objects of “Turka” lot of “Baikal harbor“ Special Economic Zone of tourism and vacation type;
 - demonstration of sport equipment and devices for extreme sports and travels, as well as the possibilities of winter extreme sports, organized by the Federation of extreme sports and travels ‘Baikal Extreme”;  
 - demonstration of mountain freestyle and rail snowboarding (gibbing);   
- congratulations from folk heroes – Sagaan Ubgen (the White Oldman) of Buryatia, Evenk Mother Winter – Tugeni Eneken, and Chyskhaan – the Cold Keeper from Yakutia.
The organizers and partners of the events also prepared an direct telecast from the Cold Pole ( Tomtor settlement, Oymiakon region of the Republic of Sakha – Yakutia)
METROPOL Group represented by four resident companies of “Baikal harbor“ Special Economic Zone of tourism and vacation type (there are currently 10 registered residents in the zone) is implementing a large scale development project – construction of a multi-functional tourist complex “Baikal Harbor” on the right bank of the Turka river.  Multi-functional tourist complex “Baikal Harbor” included into the special economic zone in the Republic of Buryatia, is to become one of the world-famous tourist attractions.
The residents of METROPOL Group presented their Concept of Multi-functional tourist complex “Baikal Harbor” developed by Nikken Sekkei, a leading Japanese company, in accordance with international standards of hotel, exhibition and congress industry. The designers paid special attention to the ecological safety of the complex.
In the course of the presentations key advantages of the project were highlighted. These advantages enable one to consider the designed congress center compliant with all “green standards”, constructed with the use of advanced solutions, materials, energy saving schemes and ecological principles. This energy efficient multifunctional tourist complex will features a considerable number of cutting-edge integrated engineering systems, as well as natural ventilation and heating systems.
A central element of the complex will be a modern multi-functional Congress center designed to host more than 1,200 visitors. The center will have a unique transformable hall to satisfy the needs of all guests and participants of any events organized in the center.
METROPOL IFC that acts as a main investor of Turka lot of of “Baikal harbor“ Special Economic Zone of tourism and vacation type in the Republic of Buryatia also provides all required conditions for the implementation of socially important projects in the region – for example, the construction of an Orthodox church in Turka village with the support of Ulan-Ude and Buryatia eparchy of Russian Orthodox Church.  Public debates and discussion of the church design with the citizens of the village will be carried out in early December 2011.