Russian-American Conference Business and Diplomacy to Take Place in Saint Petersburg in April

A joint Russian-American conference entitled Business and Diplomacy is to take place in Saint Petersburg in April 2003. As Josh McDowell, founder of Josh McDowell and Associates announced at the international press centre 300 Years of Saint Petersburg yesterday, the conference may persuade some foreign businessmen that it is no longer dangerous to invest in the Russian economy. Mr McDowell said that the main aim of the conference is to establish some links between Russian and American businessmen.

The conference will also include lectures given by well-known businessmen on the themes What interests businessmen in the country they are going to invest in and How to negotiate with clients so that they continue to deal with your firm. According to Mr McDowell about 500 American businessmen will visit Saint Petersburg during the summer of 2003.

Deputy Chairman of the Saint Petersburg Chamber of Commerce Arthur Pakhomov said that 'one of the main tasks of the chamber of commerce with regard to the conference is to select local companies which are capable of representing Saint Petersburg in a worthy manner and which are transparent and reliable enough to attract foreign investors.'