St. Petersburg Governor Vladimir Yakovlev leads delegation to New York

Governor Vladimir A. Yakovlev and a delegation of more than 70 top-level business leaders and government officials from St. Petersburg, Russia, visited New York City between January 13-17, 1997. On January 13, in association with the U.S.-Russia Business Council and CIC International Partners, Inc., the ARCCI co-sponsored the conference "New Perspectives on St. Petersburg and Investment Opportunities for U.S. Business."

In his presentation, Governor Yakovlev outlined the City's plans for economic restructuring and profiled investment opportunities. Conference panels focused on reconstruction of the City center, transportation and infrastructure, hotel industry, and updates on the St. Petersburg financial market. Speakers included Michael Manevich, Vice-Governor of the City of St. Petersburg; Oleg Kharchenko, Chairman of the Committee for City Development and Architecture; Alexander Khodachek, First Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Economics and Industrial Policy; Gennady Tkachev, Chairman of the Committee for External Relations; Dmitry Lebedev, Deputy Principal Officer of the Central Bank Representation in St. Petersburg; Vladimir Gorboundov, Chairman, St. Petersburg Stock Exchange; and representatives from St. Petersburg's real estate and hospitality industries. ARCCI/AECC sponsor John Howard, President of Golub-Europe, led the city reconstruction panel.

During the remainder of the Governor's stay in New York, the ARCCI coordinated several business meetings and receptions with the Chamber's sponsoring companies. St. Petersburg investment projects were further discussed at breakfast meetings organized by the ARCCI/AECC, Morgan Stanley and the law firm of McDermott, Will & Emery. Parallel to the business program, the Governor presided over the cultural celebration "Vivat, St. Petersburg," organized by CIC International Partners in the World Financial Center.

For detailed information on investment opportunities in St. Petersburg, please contact the ARCCI at http://www.uic.edu/orgs/arcci/ or call 312-494-6562.