Only few countries in the world offer as many business opportunities as Russia. Although this country went through drastic reforms and suffered from international crisis in 2008-09, its potential as an important emerging market remains intact.
After an initial sharp contraction, the Russian economy has started to stabilize as early as mid 2009. Increase in oil prices and some renewed capital inflows have ensured currency stability. As in many other countries, fiscal stimulus helped to avoid a prolonged depression, easing threats of political and social instability.
Russia is expected to recover gradually over the course of 2010. New surges of currency or payment failures cannot be totally ruled out. However, Russia benefits from significant assets for future growth:
- - The country is endowed with a wide range of natural resources (oil, gas, metals, diamonds). Low public sector debt and the world’s third largest foreign exchange reserves leave the government still a room for manoeuvre.
- - Even during difficult times, business opportunities did not cease, from assets acquisition to investment in high-growth sectors to projects related to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi – to name just a few examples.
With a deep understanding and respect of Russia, Direct Group has developed a thorough expertise in the fields of marketing, management, technology and logistics, taking into account the country’s specificities. The Group can identify market opportunities and launch solid businesses in a remarkably short time.
Let Direct Group be your preferred partner to seize these opportunities!
Key macro-economic indicators
(source: IMF, Aug. 09)
| 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009* | 2010* | |
| Real GDP | 7.7 | 8.1 | 5.6 | -6.5 | 1.5 |
| External current account (percent of GDP) | 9.5 | 5.9 | 6.1 | 1.5 | 2.9 |
| Gross international reserves | 303.7 | 478.8 | 427.1 | 375.7 | 397.2 |
*forecasts
