Speaking at a meeting with Finnish businessmen, the Russian president said that economic growth in Russia in the current year could reach 6%. This would improve the climate of cooperation with foreign partners, especially Finland, Mr Putin stressed.
He said that Russia and Finland were interested in developing pragmatic relations in the economic sphere. Mr Putin pointed out that Finnish businessmen’s good knowledge of the Russian market gave them an advantage over their foreign competitors.
See also
Opening Address at a Meeting with Finnish Businesspeople
September 3, 2001
Official Visit to Finland
September 1 − 3, 2001