MOSCOW, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans arrived in Moscow Monday to promote trade between the two countries and for meetings with his Russian counterpart, Gherman Gref.
Evans was being accompanied on his trip by representatives from Boeing Co., Lockheed Martin Corp., and Pratt and Whitney as well as smaller companies interested in forming business relationships in Russia.
The commerce secretary told the Itar-Tass news agency that he intends to discuss Russia's ongoing economic reform, including the liberalization of trade and improvement of the investment climate.
The American delegation will also meet with members of the Russia-American Business Dialogue, which was created to promote dialogue between businessmen and government officials.
On Tuesday, Evans is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov. The American delegation will wind up their Russian visit on Wednesday.
This is the second trip to Russia for the commerce secretary. Evans visited Moscow in July with Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill.
On the eve of his visit, Evans told reporters that relations with Russia were a main priority of the Bush administration. He also expressed confidence that Russia will be able to become an economic power as it carries on the reform process and ensures its economic growth.
