U.S.-Russia Business Council
Encyclopedia
U.S.-Russia Business Council (USRBC) is a Washington
-based trade association
that represents the interests of 300 member companies operating in the Russian market
. The Council’s mission is to expand and enhance the U.S.-Russian commercial relationship. Guided by member interests, the Council promotes an economic environment in which businesses can succeed in a challenging Russian market. Through a range of activities, the Council contributes to the stability and development of a free market
in Russia
and supports Russia’s integration into the global economy.
USRBC provides significant business development, dispute resolution
, government relations, and market intelligence
services to its American and Russian member companies.
To achieve its mission, the Council conducts activities and provides services that fall into the following categories:
Though some activities and research are reserved for paying members, USRBC provides a variety of resources for those interested in Russia's business environment and overall economy.
, Boeing
, Cargill
, Chadbourne & Parke
, Citigroup
, Coca-Cola
, Ford, Procter & Gamble
, and other leading businesses, banks, law firms, accounting firms and organizations.
's division in Moscow
.
The USRBC's Board of Directors consists of leading experts on Russia, including Chairman Emeritus Robert Strauss
, who served as the final American ambassador to the USSR and first ambassador to post-Soviet Russia; former ambassadors Thomas R. Pickering
and James Collins
; German Gref
, president of Russia's largest bank, Sberbank
, and former Minister of Economics and Trade; and several senior executives from major companies.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
-based trade association
Trade association
A trade association, also known as an industry trade group, business association or sector association, is an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific industry...
that represents the interests of 300 member companies operating in the Russian market
Economy of Russia
The economy of Russia is the eleventh largest economy in the world by nominal value and the sixth largest by purchasing power parity . Russia has an abundance of natural gas, oil, coal, and precious metals...
. The Council’s mission is to expand and enhance the U.S.-Russian commercial relationship. Guided by member interests, the Council promotes an economic environment in which businesses can succeed in a challenging Russian market. Through a range of activities, the Council contributes to the stability and development of a free market
Free market
A free market is a competitive market where prices are determined by supply and demand. However, the term is also commonly used for markets in which economic intervention and regulation by the state is limited to tax collection, and enforcement of private ownership and contracts...
in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and supports Russia’s integration into the global economy.
USRBC provides significant business development, dispute resolution
Dispute resolution
Dispute resolution is the process of resolving disputes between parties.-Methods:Methods of dispute resolution include:* lawsuits * arbitration* collaborative law* mediation* conciliation* many types of negotiation* facilitation...
, government relations, and market intelligence
Market intelligence
Market intelligence can refer to*Marketing Intelligence - commercial information for marketing purposes*Market Intelligence - a form of market research and analysis...
services to its American and Russian member companies.
To achieve its mission, the Council conducts activities and provides services that fall into the following categories:
- Company-specific assistance and industry-sector efforts;
- Russian and U.S. government policy work;
- Information products;
- Russian business relationships; and,
- Briefings, conferences and formal/informal networking opportunities.
Though some activities and research are reserved for paying members, USRBC provides a variety of resources for those interested in Russia's business environment and overall economy.
Membership
There are over 300 members, including Alfa BankAlfa Bank
Alfa Bank, the corporate treasury of the Alfa Group, is the largest private commercial bank in Russia. Headquartered in Moscow, it operates in 7 countries, providing financial services to over 40,000 active corporate customers and 5.3 million retail clients...
, Boeing
Boeing
The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
, Cargill
Cargill
Cargill, Incorporated is a privately held, multinational corporation based in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Founded in 1865, it is now the largest privately held corporation in the United States in terms of revenue. If it were a public company, it would rank, as of 2011, number 13 on the Fortune 500,...
, Chadbourne & Parke
Chadbourne & Parke
Chadbourne & Parke LLP, founded in 1902 by Thomas L. Chadbourne, currently has some 400 lawyers and tax advisors in 13 offices in ten countries...
, Citigroup
Citigroup
Citigroup Inc. or Citi is an American multinational financial services corporation headquartered in Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States. Citigroup was formed from one of the world's largest mergers in history by combining the banking giant Citicorp and financial conglomerate...
, Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
, Ford, Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble is a Fortune 500 American multinational corporation headquartered in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio and manufactures a wide range of consumer goods....
, and other leading businesses, banks, law firms, accounting firms and organizations.
Leadership
On June 1, 2008, Ed Verona was appointed President and CEO of USRBC. Prior to this, Mr. Verona was the Vice President of ExxonMobilExxonMobil
Exxon Mobil Corporation or ExxonMobil, is an American multinational oil and gas corporation. It is a direct descendant of John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil company, and was formed on November 30, 1999, by the merger of Exxon and Mobil. Its headquarters are in Irving, Texas...
's division in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
.
The USRBC's Board of Directors consists of leading experts on Russia, including Chairman Emeritus Robert Strauss
Robert Schwarz Strauss
Robert Schwarz Strauss is a figure in American politics and diplomacy. A Texas political figure, Strauss’s political service dates back to future president Lyndon Johnson’s first congressional campaign in 1937. By the 1950s, he was associated in Texas politics with the conservative faction of...
, who served as the final American ambassador to the USSR and first ambassador to post-Soviet Russia; former ambassadors Thomas R. Pickering
Thomas R. Pickering
Thomas Reeve "Tom" Pickering , is a retired United States ambassador. Among his many diplomatic appointments, he served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations from 1989 to 1992.-Early life:...
and James Collins
James Franklin Collins
James Franklin Collins is a former United States Ambassador to Russia. A career Foreign Service Officer in the State Department, he is a Russian specialist.- Biography :...
; German Gref
German Gref
German Oskarovich Gref , born February 8, 1964) is a Russian economist of German ethnicity, the founder of Center of the Strategic Development. He was the Minister of Economics and Trade of Russia from May 2000 to September 2007...
, president of Russia's largest bank, Sberbank
Sberbank
Sberbank Rossii is the largest bank in Russia and Eastern Europe. The company's headquarters are in Moscow and its history goes back to Cancrin's financial reform of 1841...
, and former Minister of Economics and Trade; and several senior executives from major companies.
External links
- USRBC Website
- USRBC Member Companies
- American Chamber of Commerce in Russia Website AmCham has a similar mission, but is headquartered in Moscow