"Banking on Russia" international conference in London

Participants in a London-based international conference called Banking on Russia: Challenges and Opportunities of Inward Investment, which was organized by the Banker magazine and The Financial Times newspaper, will discuss the prospects and possibilities of developing the banking sector in the Russian Federation.

According to a source in the organizing committee, the purpose of the forum is to familiarize potential Western investors-heads of the largest banks, international financial organizations, investment banks and exchanges with the vistas of banking development in Russia.

The conference gathered representatives of the largest Russian banks and bankers from Britain, the USA, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France, Croatia, Japan and other countries, plus international financial experts and analysts, who will be discussing the situation on the Russian banking services market and the way it fits into the framework of the international banking community.

Foreign delegates will have a chance to get reliable first-hand information about the practice and future prospects for the Russian banking sector from presidents and top executives of Russia's leading banks.

Among the subjects that will be brought up during the conference are: investment climate in Russia and foreign gamblers' opportunities; opportunities arising from the commercial banking field; Russian private banks; development of an equitable market in Russia, etc.

Many Western bankers and investors welcome the Russian government's intention to actively develop the banking sector, since it serves as the basis of the country's progressive economic movement. Besides, Europe and the USA are beginning to recognize the fact that it is impossible to disregard the vast potential of 150 million various investors residing in Russia.