Evans Says U.S.-Russia Relationship Growing
“One Business Deal at a Time”
Sees Houston Energy Summit as Symbol of Strategic Partnership

U.S. Commerce Secretary Don Evans today applauded U.S. businesses that have entered into the Russian market and said that the commercial partnership between the two nations is being achieved “one business deal at a time.” Evans made his comments during a visit to KEM-TRON Technologies Inc., a small business that manufactures environmental technologies and has been selling their products in Russia since 1990.

“The cold war is over, and today our relationship with Russia is defined by new business agreements instead of the arms agreements of years past,” said Evans. “This small business symbolizes the new bonds of commerce that Russian and American businesses are forging and demonstrates the American jobs that are created when U.S. businesses look for opportunities abroad.”

KEM-TRON Technologies Inc., a small business with 30 employees, has offices in Moscow, Siberia and India and has sold products abroad since opening in 1990. KEM-TRON’s sales to Russia now account for nearly 70% of its total annual revenue, a criteria Evans used to award the company an Export Achievement Certificate for their success in entering the international marketplace.

Evans, together with U.S. Secretary of Energy Spence Abraham and the U.S. Energy Association will be hosting the inaugural U.S.-Russia Commercial Energy Summit in Houston October 1-2. The Summit provides a venue to advance cooperation and success in the U.S./Russian commercial energy relationship. It will also provide opportunities for U.S. and Russian energy companies to explore potential partnerships.

“President Bush and President Putin have laid out their vision for a strategic and commercial partnership between our two countries, but ultimately it’s up to the private sector to make that dream a reality,” said Evans. “It’s small businesses like this that are making it happen.”