USA's largest corporations founded by Russians

Four of USA's every ten largest companies listed on Fortune 500 rating were founded by immigrants or their children who moved to America from across the ocean. Seven of world's ten most expensive brands were also founded by immigrants or their children. These are the results of the report prepared by Partnership for a New American Economy non-commercial organization.

Ninety of USA's 500 largest corporations were established by immigrants. One hundred and fourteen other companies, the largest in the USA and the world, were opened by the children of those people, who came to the States from other countries.

Over 10 million people living all over the world are currently employed at the companies founded by immigrants. The incomes earned by these transnational corporations exceed the GDPs of the majority of countries. Their income totals $4.2 trillion a year. Only three countries can top this - the USA, Japan and China.

Seven of world's ten most expensive brands were also founded by immigrants or their descendants. They are, for example, Apple, Google, AT&T, Budweiser, Colgate, eBay, General Electric, IBM, and McDonald's.

As for immigrants from Russia, they founded such large companies as United Technologies, International Assets holding, Google, TJX, Big Lots, BJ's Wholesale Club, Commercial Metals and Avnet.

Natives of Russia also founded Henry Schein (medical equipment), Smurfit-Stone Container Corp (packaging materials) and the largest company in the world of gambling - Las Vegas Sands.

The children of Russian immigrants established such companies as Home Depot (world's largest network selling construction materials and goods for repairs), Oracle (one of world's best-known software developer), Occidental Petroleum (oil company), Qwest Communications (a telecommunications giant), Office Depot (office materials and paper), Omnicom Group (telecommunication), TRW Automotive Holdings (car parts), Limited Brands (clothing), Family Dollar Stores (retails), Bed Bath & Beyond (household goods), Ross Stores (discount stores), Avis Budget Group (car rentals).

The research is of pro-Obama character; it is directly connected with immigration initiatives of the US president. In May, Obama put forward an initiative to attract highly-trained professionals and simplify the US citizenship procedure for those who live in the United States illegally. Giving a legal ground to illegal professionals will increase revenues for the American budget.

Partnership for a New American Economy, the organizer of the above-mentioned research, advocates the liberalization of immigration laws in the United States. Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer, well-known entrepreneur and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Walt Disney's CEO Bob Iger, Boeing's CEO Jim McNerney and others are members of the administration of the organization.

"We will not remain a global superpower if we continue to close our doors to people who want to come here to work hard, start businesses and pursue the American dream. It's what I call national suicide - and that's not hyperbole." Bloomberg said in a speech to the Council on Foreign Relations meeting in Washington.

Vitaly Salnik.