MOSCOW, March 18. /TASS/. It will be difficult for American companies to return to Russia and the best option for them would be to create joint ventures with local businesses, Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, told reporters on the sidelines of the annual congress of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs.

"Those American companies that return will be able to return only by creating joint ventures with Russian companies that have already proved their success," he said.

Dmitriev also noted that more than 150 American companies are operating in the Russian market and want to continue their business.

"The American Chamber of Commerce shows that 150 American companies are present in the Russian market - 75% of them have been here for more than 25 years, and they certainly want to continue their business in Russia," he said.

Earlier, Dmitriev noted that he expects some US companies to return to the Russian market already in the second quarter of this year.