"I would like to note that our foreign partners are showing absolute interest in deeper cooperation with Russia, willingness to launch new businesses. Many leaders of the major international companies that we met just recently confirmed their investment plans for Russia," Vladimir Putin said.

He said that according to the Bank of Russia about $31 billion of direct investments have flown into Russian economy during the three quarters of 2011, 20% more YoY. "We had $26,8 billion of direct investment for the same period in 2010", the Prime Minister said.

"Current global economy challenges make us create the best investment environment in order to attract capital and make investors feel protected and comfortable, to feel our support. Only in this way we will be able to win capital", stressed Vladimir Putin.

"A wise man said, "Practice is the ultimate test of the truth ", so we will see in the near future how it all works out. But we are going to proceed according to the same logic, meaning that we need to pursue a consistent, predictable and responsible economic policy", the Prime Minister said.

According to him, it is necessary to improve the business climate, remove various restrictions, barriers, including so-called strategic industries.

"We proposed a whole set of amendments, which will make it easier for foreign capital to enter the food and medical industry, the banking sector, the "sensitive" mining industry. In general, foreign investors application is significantly simplified. The amendments were sent to the Parliament and passed the second reading in the State Duma on 19 October", said the Prime Minister.

The Commission session on Monday will review applications for Russian strategic assets transactions.

"I would like to single out a rather interesting project in the energy sector. "Electricite de France" is planning set up a company in Russia in order to implement innovations and modern technologies in management of the power generation sector. Tomsk Distribution Company will be managed by this new structure. I hope that our authorities are giving this project enough attentions and backing ", said Putin.

"We are undoubtedly interested in major foreign companies entering our domestic power sector, utilities, other infrastructure industries, bringing their innovation technology, modern management schemes, educational and research programmes", the Prime Minister said.

"This will certainly elevate the competition to a new level, raise the quality of service. This is a serious stimulus for domestic companies to improve their effectiveness, technological renovation. In other words, this is real modernization set to benefit both the Russian economy and the Russian people", the Prime Minister concluded.