Russia’s economic engine at full force
Russia is one of the fastest growing economies within Europe. The Government heavily
invests in the modernization and technological development of the country. Key factors are
aimed at improving the investment climate. Several new measures have been presented:

• A newly established Ministry of Economic Development (MED) that can overrule measures by other Ministries or state agencies, which have a restrictive effect on the improvement of the investment climate.
• The instalment of regional investment ombudsmen, to improve the situation in certain regions where corruption is excessive.
• The set-up of a foreign investment fund from which investments projects will be financed. (The fund is supported by the Russian Federation with 2 billion USD annually. The aim is to have a total fund of 60 billion USD of foreign capital in the end.)
• An informal ‘road show’ to attract foreign investments with a focus on high-tech food production, medical facilities and electricity.
  

New member World Trade Organization
In December 2011, after 18 years of negotiations, Russia received the unanimous approval from the 153 members to become a full member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The Russian parliament has until June 2012 to ratify accession, after which the membership will be official.

Russia was the last large economy which was not a WTO member yet. The Russian economy makes up about 2.8% of the world economy. The WTO membership makes Russia more accessible for foreign investors.



Self-sufficiency in food production
The drive to self-sufficiency has been the main engine for production growth in the past 10 years.
Reduction of import quotas and stimulating measures for the agricultural industry were used as policy tools.



Especially for poultry meat Russia is on its way to quickly reach complete self-sufficiency. The domestic market shows growth opportunities, despite the decreasing population, due to  rising disposable income in the longer run. The Russian market is expected to show a stable growth in the period 2012-2020.