U.S.–Russia Business Council
U.S.–Russia Business Council (USRBC) is a Washington, DC-based trade association that represents the interests of 300 member companies with operations in the Russian market. The Council’s mission is to expand the U.S.-Russian commercial relationship. Guided by member interests, the Council lobbies for an economic environment in which businesses can succeed in a challenging Russian market. It contributes to the stability and development of a free market in Russia and supports its 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.[1]
The Council conducts the following activities:
- Company-specific assistance and industry-sector efforts;
- Advocacy efforts with the U.S. and Russian governments;
- Information and analysis to support business decisions;
- Russian business relationships; and,
- Briefings, conferences, and 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 nearly 200 members, including Alfa-Bank, Boeing, Cargill, Citigroup, Coca-Cola, Ford, LUKOIL, Procter & Gamble, and other leading businesses, banks, law firms, accounting firms and organizations.[2]
Leadership
Daniel Russell was appointed President and CEO of the USRBC in July 2013.[3] A career Foreign Service Officer, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State responsible for relations with Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Belarus and for international security and arms control issues in the U.S. State Department's Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs. He served as Chief of Staff to Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns from 2008 to 2009, as Deputy Chief of Mission in Moscow from 2005 to 2008, and as Deputy Chief of Mission in Almaty, Kazakhstan, from 2000 to 2003.
The Board of Directors is chaired by Mark Sutton, Chairman and CEO of International Paper and consists of C-Suite executives from companies invested in the bilateral relationship and leading Russia experts.[4]