December 2021 | ISSUE No. 352 | USRCC Business Newsletter
◾ USRCC New Member Spotlight
Andersen is the founding member of Andersen Global, an international association of legally separate, independent member firms with more than 9,000 professionals worldwide, over 1,000 global Partners, and a presence in over 324 locations through its member firms and collaborating firms. In the U.S., Andersen has more than 1,000 personnel located in 19 cities across the country. Andersen encompasses top advisors with previous experience in the international accounting firms, law firms, IRS, and state taxing authorities. Many of our advisors hold multiple professional credentials and have depth in a wide range of capabilities allowing us to provide clients with comprehensive, integrated solutions.

We specialize in full service individual and business entity tax compliance and consulting. Our clients are at the center of our operating model which is structured to allow us to be entrepreneurial and proactive in our approach, and enables our Managing Directors to “roll up their sleeves” and work directly with you. As an Andersen client, the professionals you get to know in your first meeting are the same professionals who will be working with you throughout the process.

To learn more please visit www.andersen.com
USRCC Upcoming Events
USRCC’s Standardization Conference is a specialized technical conference that addresses common issues and challenges of standardization, certification and conformity assessment. 

USRCC in partnership with the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) and its Committee for Industrial Policy and Technical Regulation, invites you to attend the 4th Standardization Conference to discuss the requirements for the production and certification of hydrogen pipes.
The following questions to be discussed during the Conference:
  • Requirements for hydrogen pipes production;
  • Requirements on special pipes and pipelines for the hydrogen transportation;
  • Hydrogen pipes certification;
  • Existing standards and standards development for hydrogen pipes; and other related questions.
EVENT REGISTRATION:
 
Tuesday, December 14th, 2021
9:00 am– 10:30 am CST (Houston) | 18:00 – 19:30 (Moscow)
Cost: complimentary
 
Simultaneous translation into Russian language is included.

Registration deadline: COB Monday, December 13th, 2021.
Webinar details will be provided upon registration.
MODERATOR:

ANDREY N. LOTSMANOV

Deputy Co-Chairman,
Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, 
Committee of Industrial Policy
and Technical Regulation

To read the full bio click here
SPEAKERS:
DAVID MILLER,
PE, F.ASCE 

Senior Director,
Standards Development, 
American Petroleum Institute 

To read the full bio
click here
CHRISTOPHER
MAHLER

Director,
Derivative Programs, 
Conformity Assessment, 
ASME

To read the full bio
click here
JAMES THOMAS

Managing Director, 
Engineering Programs, 
ASCE
USRCC Partner Event
US-RUSSIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
SPECIAL OFFER FOR MEMBERS
 
Back in the U.S. for the first time in over 30 years, the 23rd World Petroleum Congress makes its return to the energy capital with participation from renowned global industry leaders, ministers, and expert speakers. Make your mark at the Congress and be part of the beginning of what’s next. 
SAVE $900 OFF LIST PRICE

Receive Access to the:
–Technical and Strategic Program
– Exhibition Floor
– Opening Ceremony
– Houston, USA Night
– Exclusive Alex Epstein and Robert Bryce 
meet and greet (Limited space available)
◾ USRCC Partner Event
56th PETROUSHKA BALL

February 11, 2022

After a year's pause, New York's premier Russian-American event of the social calendar is back.
Join us at the 56th Petroushka Ball to celebrate in-person and dance the night away on February 11, 2022 at The Plaza Hotel in NYC
Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required for all who are present at the event.
Reception, Dinner & Entertainment, Dancing
Dress Code: Strictly White or Black Tie, Long Ball Gowns
All net proceeds from the 56th Petroushka Ball will be directed towards the Russian Children's Welfare Society (RCWS) charitable programs. Founded in 1926, the RCWS is a 501 c 3 non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children at risk in Russia.
To learn more visit www.rcws.org
For further details, please visit the event page, contact RCWS at 212-473-6263 or main@rcws.org.

Thank you for your support! 
USRCC Membership
Are you taking advantage
of your USRCC Member Benefits?

The U.S.-Russia Chamber of Commerce provides a variety of Membership options to fit your business needs and goals. Renew your membership or join for the first time today!

For more information click here.
Member's News
Shell Completes Sale of Its Permian Business to ConocoPhillips

Shell.com, December 1, 2021: As noted in the announcement of the agreement for the sale of Shell’s Permian business, this deal reflects Shell’s focus on value over volumes as well as disciplined stewardship of capital. This transaction was made possible by the Permian team’s outstanding operational performance and provides excellent value to our shareholders through accelerated cash delivery and additional distributions. Read more...
ExxonMobil Announces Corporate Plans to 2027 – Supports Approximately Doubling Earnings and Cash Flow Potential, Reducing Emissions

Corporate.exxonmobil.com, December 1, 2021: ExxonMobil said today it has finalized corporate plans, which increase spending to $15 billion on greenhouse gas emission-reduction projects over the next six years while maintaining disciplined capital investments in its industry-leading portfolio. The plans support the corporate strategy of continued structural cost savings, investment in low-cost-of-supply and lower-emission products, and further portfolio high-grading, positioning the company to double earnings and cash flow by 2027 versus 2019. Read more...
Sulzer Launches the World’s Biggest Medium-Consistency Pump

Sulzer.com/en, November 30, 2021: Pumping of liquids with a high dry solids content, referred to as medium consistency (MC), is essential for the processes in the pulp and paper industry. The proven MCE™ pumps from Sulzer achieve a unique and reliable performance level when it comes to the capacity range as well as to the temperature and pressure of the pumped medium. Read more...
USRCC Announcement
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 center 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 
or contact us directly at info@usrussiacc.org  
call 713.429.4680
◾ This Week in Review
Russia's $6.5 Trillion Decarbonizing Plan Will Launch Next Year

Intellinews.com, December 1, 2021: Russia is revving up to launch a four-decade-long, RUB480 trillion ($6.5 trillion) investment campaign to reduce carbon emissions by 60% before 2050 from 2019 levels, of which RUB89 trillion ($1.2 trillion) will come from public funds. President Vladimir Putin offered an optimistic scenario of Russia’s attempts to reduce its CO2 emissions during his speech at the Russia Calling! Conference on 30 November. Read more...
Russia to Scale Up Oil Production by 109,000 Barrels Per Day in January 2022

Tass.com, December 2, 2021: December talks of OPEC+ countries ended and the OPEC Secretariat confirmed in its communique that OPEC+ member-states will continue increasing oil production by 400,000 barrels per day. All the countries agreed to proceed with oil production recovery in January 2022 by 400,000 barrels per day, according to the communique posted on the OPEC’s website. The plan to compensate overproduction of oil is extended until June of the next year. Read more...
Russia’s Gazprom Reports Record Profits as Gas Prices Soar

Themoscowtimes.com, November 29, 2021: Russian gas giant Gazprom on Monday said its net income rose to a record 582 billion rubles ($7.8 billion) in the third quarter on the back of soaring gas prices in Europe. Europe receives a third of its gas supplies from Russia and has seen energy prices surge to record highs as economies have come back online after the end of pandemic lockdowns. Read more...
Russian Petrochemical Giant Sibur Strengthens ESG Targets

Intellinews.com, December 3, 2021: Sibur, one of the world’s largest petrochemical companies, has set more ambitious ESG targets over the next five years, including in recycling, low-carbon products and energy use. The Moscow-based company has been a partner and a driver in Russia’s moves to organize and roll out wider recycling practices. It additionally uses associated gasses from oil production sites in its manufacturing process. These products would otherwise be flared off into the atmosphere. Read more...
EIA: Russia Ranks 3rd Among Oil, Oil Products Exporters to US

1prime.biz, November 30, 2021: Russia fell to the third place in the rating of the largest suppliers of oil and oil products to the U.S. in September, selling 18.887 million barrels, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in a statement on Tuesday.
Supplies of oil and oil products from Russia to the U.S. decreased by 23% on the month in September. Canada remained first with exports of 128.313 million barrels, while Mexico rose to the second place having supplied 24.424 million barrels over the month. Saudi Arabia was fourth with 16.395 million barrels. Read more...
U.S., Russia Make Progress Toward Resolving Diplomats Spat - State Dept

Reuters.com, December 3, 2021: The United States and Russia have made progress toward resolving a stand-off over staffing at their respective embassies, resulting in Washington ending a policy that allowed family members of embassy staff in Moscow to leave Russia, a State Department spokesperson said on Friday. The progress, first reported by the Washington Post, came during a meeting with Russian officials in Vienna by a U.S. delegation led by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian affairs Christopher Robinson. Read more...
CIS Business News
Kazakhstan Intends to Implement 180 Renewable Energy Projects by 2030

Tass.com, December 3, 2021: Kazakhstan intends to commission 180 renewable energy facilities with a total capacity of 9 GW by 2030, press service of Prime Minister Askar Mamin announced on Friday. According to the government, 25 projects in the field of renewable energy with a total capacity of around 600 MW were commissioned last year, the volume of investments in them exceeded $510 mln. Read more...
PM: Belarus Intends to Advance Economic Ties with Russian Regions

Eng.belta.by, December 2, 2021: Belarus intends to advance trade and economic ties with the regions of Russia, Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko said during a meeting with the delegation of Russia's Astrakhan Oblast led by Governor Igor Babushkin in Minsk on 2 December, BelTA has learned. Read more...
Concept for Creation of "Green Energy" Zone in Azerbaijan’s Liberated Territories Prepared

Azernews.az, December 3, 2021: A concept has been prepared for the creation of a "green energy" zone in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan, Director of the State Agency for Renewable Energy Sources under the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan Tabriz Ammayev said during the panel discussions of the UNEC Economic Forum, Trend reports. Read more...
US-Russia Related News in Russian
◾ Новости недели
Fitch Подтвердило Рейтинг России на Уровне "BBB" со Стабильным Прогнозом

Tass.ru, Декабрь , 2021: Международное рейтинговое агентство Fitch сохранило долгосрочный кредитный рейтинг России в иностранной валюте на инвестиционном уровне "BBB" со стабильным прогнозом. Краткосрочный кредитный рейтинг в иностранной валюте подтвержден на уровне F2, говорится в сообщении агентства. Читать далее...
США Могут Ввести Пошлины на Удобрения из России

Kommersant.ru, Декабрь 3, 2021: Министерство торговли США может ввести пошлины на импорт удобрений из России. В частности, меры планируется ввести в отношении компаний «Еврохим» и «Акрон». Для «Еврохима» данный показатель оценивается в 9,84%, для «Акрона» — в 9,66%, для других производителей — в 9,72%. Окончательное решение ведомство планирует вынести в апреле 2022 года. Читать далее...
Проект СПГ-завода НОВАТЭКа и Партнеров Привлек €9,5 млрд

Rbc.ru, Ноябрь 30, 2021: Проект НОВАТЭКа и международных инвесторов «Арктик СПГ-2» подписал с международными и российскими банками кредитные соглашения на общую сумму до €9,5 млрд на срок до 15 лет, сообщила компания. В сообщении указано, что эта сумма полностью обеспечивает необходимое проекту внешнее финансирование. Читать далее...
АФК "Система" и МГУ Создадут R&D-центр с Фокусом на Водородной Энергетике

Interfax.ru, Ноябрь 30, 2021: ПАО АФК "Система" и МГУ имени Ломоносова договорились о создании Центра проектирования и разработок в области электронной компонентной базы (ЭКБ), водородной энергетики и космических технологий. Такое соглашение подписали председатель совета директоров "Системы" Владимир Евтушенков и ректор университета Виктор Садовничий, передает корреспондент "Интерфакса". Читать далее...
Всемирный Банк Резко Ухудшил Прогноз по Росту Экономики России на Следующий Год

Vedomosti.ru, Декабрь 1, 2021: Всемирный банк (ВБ) ухудшил свои ожидания по росту экономики России в 2022 г. на 0,4 п.п. – до 2,4% по сравнению с октябрьским прогнозом, следует из доклада ВБ об экономике России. В этом году российская экономика вырастет на 4,3%, ожидают аналитики. Прогноз по ВВП на 2023 г. оставлен без изменения – он предполагает рост на 1,8%. Читать далее...
 USRCC Executive Partners 
U.S.-Russia Chamber of Commerce
2900 Wilcrest Drive
Suite 133
Houston, TX 77042

713-429-4680
The U.S.-Russia Chamber of Commerce (USRCC) is a 501(c)(6) not 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 Russian 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.

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