NEW YORK, NY - The Mid-Atlantic - Russia Business Council and the U.S. Department of State announce the continuation of the series of seminars on "Russian Science & Technology Opportunities for U.S. Business." Due to the success of the first eleven seminars in the Mid-Atlantic region in 2001 and 2002, six new seminars have been organized in 2003 that will extend throughout the East Coast and Eastern United States. These events will take place in New York City, New York on June 18-20, 2003; Wilmington, Delaware; Columbus, Ohio on October 15-16; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on October 22-23; King of Prussia, Pennsylvania on November 12-13; and Ford Lauderdale, Florida on December 3-4. Each seminar will highlight different institutes, scientists and projects in Russia.

The thirteenth seminar of this series will be held in conjunction with the CeBIT America Information and Communications Technology Trade Fair on June 18-20, 2003 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, NY. This event will be organized in association with BISNIS, a unit of the U.S. Department of Commerce, The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Russian Federation, The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, The Moscow Entrepreneurs Association, Algorithm Group, Global Business Roundtable and the World Trade Centers Association, and sponsored by the Ernst and Young LLP, EPAM Systems, E-Style Software Corporation, TUV Rheinland of North America, and U.S. Civilian Research and Development Foundation with promotional support from Integral, SiliconTaiga, Groteck and RosBusinessConsulting.

The main program of the MARBC-U.S. State Department Seminar will take place on June 19 from 1:00 P.M. to 5:30 P.M., followed by ongoing presentations in the MARBC Theater. A delegation from the Russian Federation representing companies in the information technology and other technology industries will be present to have a panel discussion and to exhibit the latest advancements in Russian technology for the duration of the CeBIT America.

Program sessions will be led by representatives from the U.S. Department of State's Partners Program. The Partners Program, through Science Centers in Moscow and Kiev, offers U.S. businesses a protective infrastructure for funding basic and applied research projects, technology development, and technology demonstration research in the former Soviet Union. Included in these sessions will be presentations by U.S. corporations with significant transfer technology collaboration experience in Russia. These presenters include a diverse group of representatives ranging from major corporations to small businesses, and from research universities to technology associations and foundations such as the U.S. Industry Coalition (USIC) and U.S. Civilian Research and Development Foundation (CRDF). USIC members participate in the Department of Energy's Initiatives for Proliferation Prevention, a program partnering weapons scientists of the former Soviet Union with U.S. industry to transform weapons technologies into viable products for the global market. CRDF will present its "Next Steps to the Market" program, which is intended to support projects facilitating the commercial utilization of research results in the interest of all parties involved.

Not sure why doing business with Russia right now makes sense? Or is your company interested but you need more detailed information before seriously pursuing greater involvement?

These seminars are an excellent way to learn more about the opportunities for business cooperation between American and Russian companies. For U.S. businesses, organizations such as the USIC and CRDF offer a wealth of experience with research projects and investment opportunities in the former Soviet Union. The State Department's Partners Program reduces the costs and political risks of funding research in the Newly Independent States. Companies can gain unique access to the former Soviet weapons R&D community and utilize their expertise to work on corporate projects in such fields as biotechnology, instrumentation, communications, air, space and surface transportation, materials, the environment and more.

CeBIT Press Release (PDF file)

Come learn about how your company could benefit in the fast-paced, advanced technology sector.

• Alexey Ruzhin, Deputy Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in the USA, Head of NY Office, Consul Commercial
• Val Kogan, President, Mid-Atlantic - Russia Business Council

"Technology Opportunities for U.S. Businesses in the Newly Independent States"