2005 Press Releases
Scott Rauland welcomed the participants of the Urals Direct Investment Forum
April 20, 2005
An international business forum entitled “Direct Investments in Urals Business” opened in Yekaterinburg on April 20, 2005, with U.S. Consul General Scott Rauland joining Sverdlovsk Oblast Minister for Foreign Economic Relations Victor Koksharov in welcoming the participants. The forum attracted business representatives from Moscow, Yekaterinburg, Chelyabinsk, and Kazakhstan and received considerable attention from the regional press and local officials. In his opening remarks the Consul General noted that it is important to create opportunities for dialogue with foreign companies, so that they can become acquainted with opportunities in the Urals region. The Consul General also remarked that it is important to advertise the success stories of foreign investments to illustrate the potential of doing business in what is becoming one of the most attractive markets in Russia outside Moscow.
Michele Smith, OPIC Representative in Russia and the CIS, attended the Forum and briefed the audience on opportunities provided by OPIC for local JVs and American investors. She also met with regional officials and visited several local companies to evaluate their investment projects.
