HC Deb 08 July 2003 vol 408 cc748-9W
Janet Anderson

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress was made in discussions on bilateral trade with President Putin during his recent visit. [123889]

Ms Hewitt

I was very pleased to attend the Energy Summit at Lancaster House, which was addressed by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and President Putin who both welcomed the increased trade and investment between our two countries.

During the State visit, Deputy Prime Minister Kurdin and I had a very fruitful meeting where we discussed a range of trade related issues, including increased UK/ Russia trade and economic co-operation. We both warmly welcomed the BP investment, announced at the Energy Summit, which helps to make the UK the largest foreign investor in Russia.