OREANDA-NEWS. February 10, 2009. Viktor Koksharov, prime minister of the Sverdlovsk Region, and Peter Gerendasi, managing partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers in Russia (PwC), signed a cooperation agreement, reported the press-centre of PwC.

PwC intends to work with the Sverdlovsk Region government to facilitate the overall development of the region’s economic and social climate. The cooperation is expected to take shape in the form of informational assistance and consulting on economic issues, as well as designing a strategy for the development of industry in the region. One of the goals of the agreement is to make Sverdlovsk Region more attractive to both Russian and foreign investors.

Peter Gerendasi said:
“Sverdlovsk Region’s importance to the country’s economy is constantly growing. We hope that our presence in this rapidly developing region will be beneficial both to Sverdlovsk Region and to our business.”

“Ekaterinburg’s rich industrial and scientific potential, combined with its advantageous geopolitical location, ensure a favourable outlook for the city’s development. It is important for us to contribute to the region’s economic development, helping it to attract investment in the global arena, as well as to assist Russian and foreign companies investing in the region.”

Education and developing human resources make up yet another part of PricewaterhouseCoopers’ strategy in Sverdlovsk Region. PwC cooperates with higher-education institutions on training programmes and recruitment and arranges vocational training classes at schools and universities.

“What has been happening in the economic recession is revealing. Many investors are wondering if it is viable to keep (let alone develop) their businesses aboard,” Viktor Koksharov said. “You have drawn attention to Sverdlovsk Region’s sound potential — you should come to the region with your experience and the desire to find partners for mutually beneficial cooperation.”

PricewaterhouseCoopers has been operating in the Russian market since 1989. Over the past 20 years, PwC has become the largest audit and consulting services provider in Russia. PwC offices in Moscow, St Petersburg, Togliatti, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Kazan and now Yekaterinburg employ over 2,500 people.