Modern Russia reviews plans for several new luxury hotels in Russia. Internationally renowned brands are investing in both Russian cities and the countryside, taking advantage of the country’s beautiful architecture and its natural landscape. 

Hospitality Industry Growth in Russia 

Daniel Satinsky, founding partner of Russia Innovation Collaborative, LLC

Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (SkTech) is the new private university to be constructed through collaboration between the Skolkovo Foundation and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), called the SkTech/MIT initiative. The agreement to work together on this new university was only signed on October 26, 2011, but activities to create the basic components of the new university have already begun.

Nina Pogossova, founder and chairman of the board of Travelmenu

In honor of International Women’s Day, Modern Russia interviewed Nina Pogossova, founder and chairman of the board of Travelmenu, an online travel booking site, about being a female entrepreneur in Russia.

Inna Kuznetsova, chief commercial officer at CEVA Logistics

I grew up in the USSR; one of the few countries in the world that celebrated International Women’s Day as a national holiday and required everyone to work, regardless of gender. So it was not unique in our family to have women who had built meaningful careers outside of the home. My great grandmother was a dentist, while my grandmother worked for as a pediatrician for over half a century.  For my American friends, such a family history sounds both rare and inspiring, but it is not unusual for Russia.

A recent survey showed that European business leaders are upbeat about a Putin return to the presidency with just over half of those questioned suggesting it will ensure continuity and stability - qualities considered important for the investment climate. 

However, they also expressed concern about corruption and suggested that doing business in Russia is difficult, giving it a rating of 4 out of 10, with 10 being “extremely easy.”