Aug
  2018
ISSUE
No. 179

  USRCC Business Newsletter
USRCC Activities

The 62nd Sister Cities International Conference

As a part of the  Sister Cities of Houston Delegation, the USRCC Houston - Tyumen Sister Cities participated at the  62nd Annual Sister Cities International Conference ("SCI 2018" that took place in Aurora, Colorado, August 2-4. 

The SCI Conference 2018 was held under the slogan "Cities Leading the Way" and was attended by more than 500 attendees from all over the world including the students who attended the Young Leadership Summit. Attendees included i nternational delegations from Cameroon, El Salvado r, Germany, Haiti, India, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Palestine, Ghana, Tanzania, The Bahamas, China, Jamaica, and South Korea.

SCI 2018 Summary by Mr. Harry Gee, President, Sister Cities of Houston:

"A large delegation led by Harry Gee, President of Sister Cities of Houston attended the Sister Cities International Conference in Aurora, Colorado last week. A major theme of the conference was the Silk Road, land route. Next year the SCI Conference will be held in Houston on July 15-17 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel with a continuation of the Silk Road, sea route theme.
Representing Houston-Tyumen Sister City Association in Aurora was Tamara Doescher, the executive director of the US-Russia Chamber of Commerce ("USRCC").  Houston-Tyumen sister cities is a committee of the USRCC (usrussiacc.org)


The conference enabled the members to network and to share best practices as to how to build sister to sister relationships and practice the citizen to citizen diplomacy advocated by President Dwight Eisenhower. Also attending were delegates from around the world.  A delegation of young people who constitute the next generation met and discussed entrepreneurial and leadership topics of interest. Houston, a city with no limits will be the next host and we invite everyone who is interested in volunteering or participating to go to the web site of Sister Cities of Houston and sign up. Look forward to extending our warm southern hospitality with a western flavor to our SCI visitors next year".

Congratulations to Houston Guayaquil Sister City Association on winning 
the  Innovation Award for Youth and Education!





USRCC's Booth at the Annual Summer NAPE in Houston  

The annual Summer NAPE in Houston is an expo and networking event that brings together all the players necessary to forge, facilitate and close deals. More intimate than the annual NAPE Summit, this show is a "must attend" event to network with the people and players who have firsthand knowledge of the opportunities and prospects throughout the area. Summer NAPE is where deals happen:  http://napeexpo.com/summer

The Summit will be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston TX
August 15-16, 2018.

Stop by the USRCC booth #1538!

 

The USRCC invites Young Professionals 
to join us 

at the

2nd Annual Senior Executive Knowledge Sharing Series:
From a Young Professional to an Industry Leader 

with



Vice President
 New Business Development &  Commercial 
North America and Brazil
 
Shell International Exploration and Production Company
Upstream and Integrated Gas


With the Petroleum engineering background, Mr. Marsili worked in Eni and Enterprise Oil before joining Shell 16 years ago as Area Development Lead for Gannet cluster in UK North Sea. Mr. Marsili covered a number of Asset Commercial roles in UK and Italy. Mr. Marsili worked in NBD as Head of M&A in Shell Energy Europe and as Senior Business Development Manager responsible for the Iraq South Gas project.

More recently Mr. Marsili worked as the Venture Implementation Manager and Commercial Director for Basra Gas Company Joint Venture in Iraq.

Currently Mr. Marsili is a Vice President, New Business Development & Commercial, North America and Brazil, Shell.  Full bio is available here.

Join the USRCC for the engaging discussion and learn how to improve your skills, knowledge and attitude to reach your personal and professional goals and advance your career.

When: Tuesday, September 18
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Where: University of Houston, Bauer College of Business
Insperity Classroom & Business Building (CBB)
4th Floor, Room 412
4302 University Drive, Houston, Texas 77204

Audience: Young Professionals


Parking:  Welcome Center Parking Garage
4400 University Drive, Houston, Texas 77204
Visitor Parking is on 3rd & 4th floors

 
USRCC Member - free | Non-Member $20
                   

The U.S.-Russia Chamber of Commerce invites you to attend

The 8th Annual Welcome Reception
Honoring Russian and CIS Delegations to the 
Breakbulk Americas  2018

Please join the U.S.-Russia Chamber of Commerce in welcoming Russian and CIS delegations to the 8th Annual Breakbulk Americas Reception . This annual event draws decision makers in U.S.- Russia trade and investment, including senior representatives from major shipping and logistics companies, leaders in the oil and gas industry, government officials, elected officials and more.

Breakbulk Americas is the largest and most important gathering in North America for companies involved in the shipping of heavy-lift, project cargo and traditional breakbulk cargoes. The conference provides shippers with the opportunity to meet and develop relationships with the leading specialized carriers, forwarders, ports, terminals and packers who have the expertise and resources to handle oversized cargoes with unique handling requirements.





Wednesday, October 3, 2018 * 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM 
Four Seasons Hotel, Whitney Room * 1300 Lamar Street, 
Houston, TX 77010

USRCC Members - $30/Non-Members - $60
Please note: Refunds will not be issued after September the 30th, 2018


For sponsorship opportunities please contact:

The U.S.-Russia Chamber of Commerce
2900 Wilcrest Drive, Suite 133, Houston, TX 77042 
Phone: 713.429.4680 Email : info@usrussiacc.org

 
"Russian Energy Week" 
International Forum 2018

Russian Energy Week (REW) is Russia's largest international  business discussion platform for the energy sector. The aim  of this event is to showcase future opportunities in the  Russian fuel and energy sector and to realize the potential  of international cooperation. The Forum is held with the  support of the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation  and the Moscow City Government.

When: October 3-6, 2018

Where: Central Exhibition Hall 'Manege',  1 Manezhnaya Ploshchad, 
Moscow, Russia

For more information please click here.

                                  
USRCC Internship
GET INVOLVED

The USRCC is looking for new team members!

Volunteers
 play a key role and the contributions they make impact the day-to-day functions of the chamber and shape the future of the relationship between Russia and the U.S.

There are many ways you can get involved with the USRCC. Whether you are an experienced leader or a student, there is a place for you. By volunteering you can be at the very centre of our high-profile events held in Houston, Chicago and New York City and interact with influential leaders in the U.S.-Russia trade and investment.
To learn more about the position  click here or contact us directly at info@usrussiacc.org   call 713.429.4680
USRCC Membership
Are you taking advantage of your  USRCC Member Benefits?

Renew your membership or join for the first time today!

For more information  click here 
Interested in learning more about our 2018 events?

To see a full list   click here                                                                                                                     
Members' News
Emerson Electric Co. Q3 adjusted earnings of $0.88 per share

Nasdaq.com, August 07, 2018: Emerson Electric Co. (  EMR ) released a profit for its third quarter that rose from the same period last year.
The company's bottom line totaled $712 million, or $1.12 per share. This compares with $413 million, or $0.64 per share, in last year's third quarter.  Read more...
Baker Hughes, a GE company Announces July 2018 Rig Counts

Businesswire.com, August 7, 2018: Baker Hughes, a GE company (NYSE:BHGE) announced today that the Baker Hughes international rig count for July 2018 was 997, up 38 from the 959 counted in June 2018, and up 38 from the 959 counted in July 2017. The international offshore rig count for July 2018 was 217, up 22 from the 195 counted in June 2018, and up 13 from the 204 counted in July 2017.  Read more...
Rosneft Sets Cash-Flow Record as Russian Oil Hits Sweet Spot

Bloomberg.com, August 7, 2018: Rosneft PJSC posted record cash flow in the second quarter as Russian oil companies hit a sweet spot of rising crude prices and a weakening ruble. Russia's largest crude producer also posted the highest net income in almost five years and curbed its dollar-denominated debt, underpinning the share buybacks that helped lift its stock to the highest level since January 2017.  Read more...
The Week in Review
Russia: July crude oil exports rise 3.7% on month to 4.735 mil b/d

Neftegaz.ru, August 6, 2018: Russia's July crude oil and condensate output rose 1.4% month on month to 11.215 million b/d, in line with Russia's pledge in late June to boost output under the deal with OPEC and other non-OPEC producers, Platts reported.
Russia produced 47.429 million mt of liquids in July, up 2.4% year on year, it showed. In daily volumes for July, the country added nearly 149,000 b/d to its June production, according to CDU data and based on a 7.33 barrels per metric ton conversion rate.  Read more...
Russia's Novatek starts Yamal's second LNG train, sends condensate to Middle East

Reuters.com, August 9, 2018: Russia's Novatek has launched a second liquefied natural gas (LNG) production train at its plant on the Yamal peninsula ahead of schedule, as Moscow is trying to turn into a significant global player on the super cooled gas market.  Read more...
Russia's trade surplus up 46.3% in H1, 2018

Xinhuanet.com, August 7, 2018: Russia's trade surplus rose 46.3 percent year on year to 98 billion U.S. dollars in the first half (H1) of the year, the Russian Federal Customs Service said Tuesday.
"The trade balance was positive at 98 billion U.S. dollars, which is 31 billion U.S. dollars more than in January-June 2017," it said in a statement.  Read more...
London to host 4th Russian-British Business Forum on November 26-27

Tass.com, August 9, 2018: The 4th Russian-British Business Forum will be held in London in November amid an increase of trade turnover between the two countries by one third, Boris Abramov, Russia's trade representative in the UK told TASS.
"Since the end of 2016, the growth in trade turnover has been observed practically in all sectors. According to the latest data of the British Customs Service, in January-May 2018, trade with Russia totaled $5.26 bln and grew by 34.7% in comparison with January-May 2017," Abramov said. He noted the growth of non-oil-and gas products in the structure of Russian exports to the UK but did not name any specific figures.   Read more...

Russian-Argentine trade up 15% in January-April 2018 

Tass.com, August 10, 2018: Trade between Russia and Argentina has risen by 15% in the first four months of 2018, Russia's recently appointed ambassador to Buenos Aires, Dmitry Feoktistov, said on Thursday.
"Last year, bilateral trade stood at less than $900 million, but, nevertheless, it grew by 1.5%," the ambassador, appointed on June 20, said at the ceremony to present his diplomatic credentials to the Argentine government.  Read more...
Russian Railways: Loading of export cargo bound for domestic ports up 5.3% to 178.8 million tonnes in 7M'18

Portnews.ru, August 10, 2018: Russian Railways says that loading of Russia's export cargo bound for domestic ports grew by 5.3%, year-on-year, to 178.8 million tonnes in January-July 2018. In particular, coal loading grew by 3.3%, ferrous metal - by 11.4%, fertilizers - by 6.6%, grain - by 73.5%, paper - by 8.8%, timber - by 18.3%.  Read more...
Russian soybean exports continue at a record pace owing to China

Blackseagrain.net, August 9, 2018: Soybean shipments in the 2017/18 season (September-May) remain at an all-time high of 730.1 KMT. This is almost twice as much as in the whole of MY 2016/17 (368.3 KMT), reports UkrAgroConsult. In May 2017/18, Russian soybean exports reached a record mark for this month: 55.2 KMT against 84.3 KMT in the previous month and 22.1 KMT in May 2017.
The record volumes of Russian soybean exports were achieved at the expense of higher sales to China, whose export share exceeds 87%. During the first nine months of the current season, supplies to this country increased almost threefold, to 707.1 KMT against 258 KMT a year ago.  Read more...
Russia's Rostec to sell 75% of MC-21 component manufacturer

Atwonline.com, August 9, 2018: Russia's state-owned Rostec said it will sell 75% minus one share in Technodinamika holding company, the leading developer and manufacturer of components and systems for the MC-21, including the neutral gas, electrical power, oxygen and fire protection systems, as well as landing gear components.  Read more...
Development of transport and logistics sector is a key priority for Kazakhstan's economic growth

Kazakh-tv.kz, August 9, 2018: Development of transport and logistics sector is a key priority for Kazakhstan's economic growth. The country also plans to modernize its infrastructure and develop transit opportunities. Currently, Kazakhstan is actively participating in the implementation of major international projects such as the 'Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran' railway and the international 'Western Europe - Western China' transit corridor. Based on a World Bank research on the ease of transport and distribution of goods for local and international trade, Kazakhstan climbed six positions compared to 2016 and ranked 71 out of 160 in the Logistics Performance Index. Experts said these indicators picture Kazakhstan as an attractive place for investment.  Read more...
 
Russia's LiAZ eyes to start bus deliveries to Azerbaijan

Azernews.az, August 10, 2018:  Likinskiy Bus Plant (LiAZ) intends to arrange the supply of buses to Azerbaijan, Corporate Sales Development Director of GAZ Group Nikolay Odintsov said in an interview with the official website of the government of the Moscow Region.  "A transport exhibition was held in Baku on June 11-13, according to the results of which we expect the signing of several contracts for the supply of buses to Azerbaijan," said Odintsov.  Read more...
 
Moody's expects further strengthening of Azerbaijan's economy next year

Azernews.az, August 8, 2018:  The international rating agency Moody's expects the acceleration of economic growth in Azerbaijan in 2019, the new report of the agency reads.  "The favorable external environment - the average oil prices amounting to $54 in 2017 compared to $44 in 2016, the stability of the national currency and the decline in inflation led to a gradual recovery of the economy of Azerbaijan," the Agency's analysts note. Read more...
Houston - Tyumen Sister Cities
Industrial growth continues in the Tyumen region

Admtyumen.ru, August 6, 2018: The Tyumen region is ahead of the average performance indicators for the Ural Federal district and Russia in many areas of economic and social development. The industrial production index for six months of 2018 was 108.3% in the Tyumen region and 103.0% average for Russia.  Read more...
US-Russia Related News in Russian
Новости недели
Международные резервы России выросли на $1,3 млрд за месяц

Gazeta.ru, 7 августа, 2018: Международные резервы России по состоянию на 1 августа составили $458,032 млрд против $456,749 млрд на 1 июля. Об этом сообщается в материалах Банка России.
Таким образом, за июль международные резервы выросли на $1,3 млрд, или на 0,3%.  Читать далее...
XVI Международный банковский форум «Банки России - XXI век» пройдет 5-8 сентября в Сочи

Banki.ru, 8 августа, 2018:  XVI Международный банковский форум «Банки России - XXI век» пройдет 5-8 сентября 2018 года в Сочи.  Организуемый Ассоциацией банков России Международный банковский форум в Сочи уже много лет является знаковым событием в жизни российского бизнеса и пользуется заслуженным вниманием банковского сообщества, органов власти и средств массовой информации.  Читать далее...
«Росатом» включил новосибирский завод в свой новый проект

Ksonline.ru, 6 августа, 2018: Государственная корпорация «Росатом» объявила о намерении выйти на рынок систем накопления электроэнергии. Этим проектом будут заняты две производственные площадки госкорпорации, одна из которых расположена в Новосибирске.  Читать далее...
В Пензе планируют открыть представительство фонда «Сколково»

Penzainform.ru, 8 августа, 2018: В Пензе планируют создать региональное представительство фонда «Сколково». Его хотят открыть на базе АО «Технопарк высоких технологий».
В пятницу, 10 августа, для обсуждения этой инициативы в областной центр приедут руководитель направления регионального развития фонда «Сколково» Олег Макаров и заместитель руководителя департамента регионального развития фонда Юрий Сибирский.  Читать далее...
Россия научилась экспортировать

Lenta.ru, 9 августа, 2018: Несырьевой неэнергетический экспорт России в первой половине 2018 года вырос на 23 процента по сравнению с аналогичным периодом годом ранее. Об этом рассказал глава Российского экспортного центра (РЭЦ) Андрей Слепнев. Читать далее...
Чистая прибыль банка «Россия» в первом полугодии достигла 3,47 млрд рублей

Banki.ru, 9 августа, 2018: Чистая прибыль банка «Россия» в первом полугодии 2018 года достигла 3,47 млрд рублей, сообщается в пресс-релизе кредитной организации о предварительных финансовых результатах работы.
Активы банка на 1 июля 2018 года составили 931 млрд рублей, увеличившись на 4% по отношению к началу года. Капитал на 1 июля 2018-го достиг 82 млрд рублей. Чистая прибыль банка за полугодие составила 3,47 млрд.  Читать далее...
USRCC Executive Partners








              
                                 






























   



The U.S.-Russia Chamber of Commerce (USRCC)  is  a 501(c)(6) no t for  profit  corporation with its headquarters  in Houston, Texas,  and offices in the Midwest and the Northeast. The USRCC  was established in 2009 to promote  trade and investment  between  the  Russia n Federation  and the U.S. A.  
The information contained in this newsletter is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice on any subject matter. USRCC does not accept any responsibility for any loss that may arise from reliance on information contained in this newsletter. The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They do not reflect the opinions or views of the USRCC or its members.  Links within this newsletter lead to other websites, including those operated and maintained by third parties. The linked sites are not part of the USRCC newsletter. USRCC includes these links solely as a convenience to the newsletter subscribers, and the presence of such links does not imply a responsibility for the linked site and its operator. USRCC cannot certify the accuracy of the material provided by the original  source .