OREANDA-NEWS.  September 26, 2014. The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) organized a bilateral meeting between the Head of FAS Igor Artemiev with the President and General Director of the President of US-Russia Business Council, Daniel Russell.

The parties discussed general economic questions of Russian-American relations, the Council Action Plan, as well as the latest FAS initiatives for improving Russian antimonopoly law and practice of enforcement of the Law on foreign investments in strategic sectors of the economy.

In particular, the President of US-Russia Business Council, Daniel Russell pointed out that American companies watch carefully FAS efforts to improve the antimonopoly law, the so-called “forth antimonopoly package” of amendments and do want to work on Russian market. “Your government recently approved “Аbbot” buying “Veropharm” It is a good sign for western companies”.

At the meeting the parties also discussed possibility of organizing a Round Table of US-Russia Business Council in Moscow in 2014 where top executives of American companies will be able to find out about the latest changes in Russian antimonopoly law, the regime of foreign investments in strategic sectors of the economy, public procurement, fair practices, and much more.

They also raised the issue of expanding participation of representatives of foreign companies in FAS Expert Councils. “FAS has 27 Expert Councils on the key markets. They comprise market participants, representatives of non-profit associations and regulators. Some of them already have representatives of European and American business, and expanding their presence will enable FAS evaluate the market situation even more objectively and increase decision-making transparency”, pointed out Andrey Tsyganov, Deputy Head of FAS.

In conclusion, the parties emphasized the importance of bilateral contacts at various levels and agreed to further develop bilateral cooperation between Russia and the USA to maintain a direct dialogue between business circles of the two countries.

US-Russia Business Council (USRBC) is a trade association that represents trading and investment interests of Russian and American companies – USRBC members in bilateral commercial relations.

USRBC endeavors to expand and strengthen US-Russia commercial relations providing broad support to its members on the markets of both countries. USRBC actively sounds the issues important for its members across the top government authorities; assists in resolving difficulties in business development; as well as in strategic planning and searching for partners, particularly by organizing briefings, conferences and private meetings with statemen and business leaders.

USRBC members include top management of around 240 American companies and financial groups, particularly the leading international companies from Fortune Global 500, and highly specialized organizations that satisfy the niche needs of Russian economy.

The USRBC has offices in Washington, D.C. and in Moscow, Russia. The Council acts locally, yet offers global support to the extended management teams of the member organizations.

Its multi-year efforts in the field of political measures that reflect priorities and concerns of the Council members, enabled the USRBC to establish close relations with executive and legislative branches in the USA and in Russia, that today are used successfully for the benefit of its member-companies.