Russia: Opportunities for Investors
The year 2007 brought a strong increase of foreign investments in Russia. Foreign direct investments amounting to about 55 bn. USD (4.5% of the GDP) were recorded in 2007, a duplication from last year. A large percentage of the foreign direct investments continues to go into the oil and gas sector.
In any case, the increase of foreign investments in 2006 as well as in 2007 shows, that the trust of the foreign investors continues to grow. Economic researchers estimate that the real economic growth in Russia will come to be over 6% during the next years. There are no stumbling blocks for the Russian economy in sight.
2007 continued to show a constant stream of new Austrian investors to Russia, in the area of production, as well as in sales. Main focal point was the building material sector, followed by wood processing. The presence of the Austrian finance sector in the Russian Federation continues to be strong. Of course, the investments mainly go into Russian regions, whose importance also become increasingly visible in 2007.
The good prognosis for the Russian economy is also a good prognosis for Austrian exports. The Russian market, which can be defined as »rich in chances, but difficult«, offers good opportunities. Many Austrian companies are already realizing them.
