Putin says France among Russia’s key economic partners

MOSCOW, Apr 29 (PRIME) -- France remains one of Russia’s core economic partners thanks to its sixth position among the E.U. states in terms of direct investment in the Russian economy, President Vladimir Putin said during an online meeting with representative of the French business community on Thursday.

“France has been one of Russia’s key economic partners. It occupies the sixth position among the E.U. states… by the size of accumulated direct investment in the Russian economy. It is also fifth in trade turnover terms,” he said.

“We had a fall in mutual trade in 2020, which decreased 14% as compared with 2019, but the figures are still good, U.S. $13 billion,” he added.

The president also invited French companies to take part in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum that will be held on June 2–5, and promised that Russia will encourage their business and investment.

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