Russia Open for Cooperation With US Businesses - Russian Trade Minister

Despite tensions between Russia and the United States, the US companies increased investments in the Russian economy in 2017 expressing readiness to continue the cooperation, according to Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov.

NEW YORK (Sputnik) — Moscow is open for dialogue with US businesses, Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said Thursday, adding that Russia's means of support for industries were also available for US companies.

Earlier in the day, Manturov arrived for an official visit to New York to take part in the annual meeting of the US-Russia Business Council and hold a range of official meetings with representatives of US business.

"We are open now for the dialogue and we don’t discriminate foreign companies based in Russia. Our means of support for industries are also available to American companies. We see now that American business takes interest in the cooperation with Russia," Manturov told reporters prior to the opening of the council's meeting.

The minister noted that American companies keep investing in manufacturing, exploration of natural resources, wholesale and retail business, transport repairs, transportation and connection, financial activities, real estate operations and providing services. Among the companies, which continued to invest in the Russian market were Boeing, Ford Sollers, Pfizer, General Electric and others, he added.

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The Russian-US relations have steadily been worsening since 2014. After the Ukrainian crisis flared up and Crimea rejoined Russia, Washington, and its allies imposed a series of economic sanctions against Moscow. Tensions even more escalated after the United States accused Russia of interfering in the 2016 US presidential election. Moscow has repeatedly denied all accusations on the matter.