Commerce Secretary To Lead Business
Development Mission to Russia

Commerce Secretary Don Evans announced that he will lead a delegation of U.S. business executives to explore and expand trade and investment opportunities in Russia’s energy sector. The Department of Commerce Trade Mission will take place on September 21-25. Evans and the Trade Mission delegation of business leaders will travel to St. Petersburg and Moscow where mission participants will focus on developing new partnerships with Russian energy companies. Mission participants will also participate in the U.S.-Russia Commercial Energy Summit in St. Petersburg.

“Economic growth and stability around the world depend on reliable, affordable sources of energy. It is essential for the United States and Russia to continue to explore new opportunities for our private sectors, as well as to take the steps necessary to ensure the long-term economic security of both our nations and the global economy,” said Evans.

Fast-growing demand for Russian oil and gas resources has created opportunities for U.S. firms in both the rehabilitation of existing oil fields and in the development of new exploration projects. Enormous opportunities for U.S. equipment suppliers exist in the fields of pipelines, ports, processing facilities, as well as in oil and gas field equipment services.

Further information about the trade mission, including requests for applications, may be directed to the Office of Business Liaison, Room 5062, Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C. 20230 (tel: 202-482-1360; fax: 202-482-4054). The deadline for applications is August 8, 2003. Applications and additional information are also available on the official mission Web site at http://www.doc.gov/russiamission2003.

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