MOSCOW/LONDON, September 8 (RIA Novosti) - The global economic crisis has not hurt Moscow’s chances of becoming an international financial center, City of London Lord Mayor Ian Luder said.
During his visit to Moscow, Luder is due to meet with Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin, the deputy chairman of the Russian Central Bank, Gennady Melikyan, and Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov, who said in May 2008 that the Russian capital should become one of the top five world financial centers by 2025.
Luder said during a video-link with London that Moscow’s population meant the city would grow and attract more international firms.
He said the recession would postpone some projects but not fundamentally alter the demand for financial services, which will grow globally. Luder added that the world is shifting to the east.
He said that British businessmen saw opportunities for cooperation in education and high-technology areas, and there were good prospects for British businesses specializing in financial services, insurance, pension funds and financial education.
The Lord Mayor predicted that major Russian companies would launch initial public offerings (IPOs) in London very soon.
A total of 39 Russian companies are traded on the London stock market and another 20 on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM).
Luder said he had already met with representatives of Russian Railways (RZD), whose affiliate The Second Cargo Company has expressed its intention to attract investment through an IPO.
Lord Mayor of London positive on Moscow’s financial prospects
© Sputnik / Iliya Pitalev
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The global economic crisis has not hurt Moscow’s chances of becoming an international financial center.
