Putin (not that one) lures foreign investors to Russia

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/13/roman-putin-foreign-investors-russia

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If success really is all in a name, then the new company Putin Consulting started by a relative of Vladimir Putin is surely destined for entrepreneurial greatness.

Roman Putin, a first-cousin-once-removed of the Russian president, has launched a consulting firm which says it offers foreign investors not only a famous name but also the "strong relationships" that go with it.

In a statement on Putin Consulting's home page, he invites foreign investors to Russia where the "improvement of the investment climate is under personal control of the president, Vladimir Putin".

Although he admits bureaucracy and corruption remain risks of working in Russia, Putin offers to "ensure complex business security" – apparently through his family ties with the country's leader. "Thanks to years of interaction with the state authorities, strong relationships with the country's leadership, financial and law enforcement structures, we will provide you fruitful and secure conditions for investment projects," he writes.

Now would not seem to be the ideal time to start a business aiming to attract foreign investors to Russia: after parliament voted to allow use of military force in Crimea and unmarked Russian troops were deployed to Ukraine, the Moscow stock market had one of its biggest one-day falls in recent years. Meanwhile, the ruble has decreased in value by about 10% so far this year.

Putin is undeterred, however, promising in a press release "the period of geopolitical instability will soon be over".

Not has it deterred business interest. On his Facebook page, the entrepreneur announced Putin Consulting would sign its first deal with Switzerland's former ambassador in Germany Thomas Borer, now a consultant and lobbyist.