Foreign operations can he classified according to the level of commitment to the market: non-investment forms like exports, modest forms of establishment like sales offices or warehouses and finally major long-term commitment with investment in production facilities. Most foreign companies operating in St. Petersburg have committed only modest investment there, if at all: small offices, minor inputs into joint ventures. The general investment climate in Russia has been too insecure for major projects.
St. Petersburg has certain strengths compared to most other Russian locations to attract foreign companies:
- logistically advantageous location;
- culturally attractive milieu;
- highly skilled, partly idle manpower (science, military, technology);
