AmCham welcomes competition. We want more foreign direct investment and more Russian direct investment. The more investment, the greater the competition for resources, talent, and better tariffs. Former state held companies benefit from having foreign owned competitors. With 54,000 Russian towns not connected to the phone network, driving out foreign investors is not in the interest of Russia.
Competition is good for Russia.
Direct foreign investment in Russian telecomms provides competition and drives development. Rick Macy, Commercial Director of Peterstar Representatives of AmCham's IT and Telecommunications Committee are committed to a series of roundtable discussions with Minister Leonid Reiman about the government's plan to develop the telecommunications sector. Lessons have been learnt. State tariff regulation has left the state telecommunications holding, Svyazinvest, with lower market capital than Russia's three U.S.-listed private owners. The 10-year plan will consolidate Svyazinvest's regional operators into seven firms and bring tariffs in line with cost and investment needs.