OREANDA-NEWS. October 7, 2011. Russia’s investment appeal became the main theme of an Annual Meeting of the U.S.-Russia Business Council (USRBC) that opened in Chicago on October 4, 2011.The first meeting devoted to expanding Vnesheconombank’s investment capabilities was opened by First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov.

In the course of the session Board Member – Vnesheconombank Deputy Chairman Petr Fradkov made a presentation of Russia’s Export Credit and Investment Insurance Agency that is being established. A principal decision providing for Vnesheconombank to establish a special financial institution responsible for insuring export credits and investments was taken by the Bank’s Supervisory Board in July of 2010. On September 27, 2011 the Agency’s Charter and Governance Bodies were founded by a decision of the Bank’s Supervisory Board.

The Russian Fund of Direct Investments (RFDI) was also presented to the meeting’s participants. In the course of discussing RFDI’s activity potential investors showed interest in such Russian industries as pharmaceutics, energy efficiency, agricultural sector and manufacturing of auto components.

In attendance of the meeting were representatives of the largest American companies – potential investors: Pfizer, Alcoa, Chevron, ExxonMobil, representatives of Russian and American political, economic and financial circles.

The U.S.-Russia Business Council is a non-profit Trade Association founded in 1993 in order to expand and promote commercial relations between the U.S. and Russia as well as to help American companies to operate on the Russian market.

Vnesheconombank has been USRBC’s member since 2000, the Bank’s management participates regularly in all events conducted under its auspices.