9 Dec 2010 19:52

French investors should go to Russian regions - Putin

MOSCOW. Dec 9 (Interfax) - French investors should take a closer look at cooperation opportunities in car manufacturing, as well as in other industries, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said.

"There are already first serious achievements in bilateral investment. This April saw the launch of the Peugeot Citroen plant in Russia. It is based in Kaluga which is currently building a large industrial auto making cluster that includes both assembly lines and auto parts production," Putin said at the opening of a session of the Russian-French commission on bilateral cooperation at the level of heads of government.

"I am convinced that French investors should take a closer look at these and other opportunities that are opening up today in Russian regions," Putin said.

Another case in point is Renault-Nissan, which has become Russia's strategic partner in upgrading the Volzhsk auto plant, the prime minister said.

He also mentioned the cooperation between Danone and Unimilk whose joint efforts will be able to not only increase sales in Russia but also "to expand their presence on the Customs Union market."

"Overall, I want to stress: France, French business is our natural and in the full sense of this word a privileged partner in modernization, who has proved its interest in cooperation," Putin said.