The following is part of a series of posts about key investment and business regions in Russia. 

The city of Vologda has recently transformed into a manufacturing center, sparking the interest of foreign companies and investors. Modern Russia provides some key insight into this burgeoning city.

Michael Bear, Lord Mayor of the City of London

By the time I come to the end of my year-long term as the Lord Mayor of the City of London, I will have spent almost 100 days overseas; visiting countries and financial centers identified as key target markets by leading City firms, promoting the City as an attractive location for international investment and helping international firms to overcome any barriers that may be impeding market access. 

On August 4, Russian residential real estate developer Etalon Group signed a construction services agreement to become the building contractor for the first stage of a major international convention and exhibition center in St. Petersburg, known as ExpoForum. 

The Western High-Speed Diameter project took another step forward when the Russian government announced that the international consortium Magistral Severnoi Stolitsy, or MSS, won a tender to build a segment of the toll road in the city of St. Petersburg.  

The consortium, which is led by VTB Capital, includes: