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Russian Direct Investment Fund, its French partners to invest in medium-sized businesses

Russian-French cooperation has great potential

MOSCOW, December 19. /TASS/. The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and CDC International Capital (CDC IC) have signed an agreement expanding the scope of cooperation, which stipulates joint search and financing of small and medium-sized businesses in both Russia and France, the RDIF reported Tuesday. Standard investments amounting up to 20 mln euros each will strengthen trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, the report said.

"Further to this agreement, the parties are considering the first transaction of the expanded partnership, an investment in the French biotechnology group Olmix," the RDIF said. Olmix is a specialist in the production of natural algae products for nutrition, hygiene, and human, animal, and plant health. Investment of up to 15 million euros, will be used to expand the production facilities of Olmix Group in St. Petersburg, which will allow Olmix Group to expand its range of available products and its presence in Russian and CIS markets.

"We welcome the expanded scope of cooperation with our French partner CDC IC, aimed at identifying attractive investment opportunities in small and medium-sized companies. Biotechnology company Olmix, which plans to expand its presence in Russia, is the first potential opportunity of that kind. We believe that Russian-French cooperation has great potential and are already looking into additional opportunities that will facilitate Russian and French companies entering the markets of both countries," CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev was quoted as saying.

CDC International Capital is a subsidiary of the French Caisse des Depots group of companies, which is dedicated to direct investments alongside sovereign funds and other large international institutional players. CDC International Capital has created a chain of partnerships with leading investors of the Middle East, Russia, Asia and North America.