Manchin talks with Russian trade delegation

CHARLESTON -- Gov. Joe Manchin met recently with representatives of a Russian trade delegation visting West Virginia to discuss economic trade opportunities with companies based in the Mountain State.

The visit is a follow-up to a West Virginia Development Office-sponsored trade mission to Russia that took place in October 2004.

That mission included two mining equipment related companies, A.L. Lee Corporation of Lester and Kanawha Scales and Systems of Poca, as well as two non-mining related companies, Appalachian Electronic Instruments of Ronceverte and FCX Systems of Morgantown.

The International Division of the West Virginia Development Office organized both the 2004 mission and this week's visit in cooperation with the U.S. Commercial Service, located at the American Embassy in Moscow.

"The West Virginia Development Office is doing an outstanding job in follow-up work with the leads and contacts we've generated through our international development efforts, and this week's visit is a continuation of these efforts," Manchin said. "Our recent trade mission to Europe and this week's delegation visit confirm that we are making an impact in our efforts to spread the word that West Virginia is open for business and well on its way to becoming a player in the global marketplace."

During their stay, the Russian business delegation members met with companies that participated in the 2004 mission as well as other West Virginia companies that have expressed interest in the Russian market since the first mission.