Russia's Progress in its Privatization and Modernization Plans

Russian President Dmitri Medvedev is expected to approve a revised list of state companies to be privatized, along with a privatization strategy, by Aug. 1. The new privatizations are part of a wider privatization and modernization campaign intended to draw in foreign expertise, technology and investment. The privatization efforts have generated so much foreign interest that the Kremlin has expanded the program. Moscow is trying to strike a balance between national security interests and a need for more modern infrastructure and investment in strategic sectors.