Russia/Foreign Media Companies/Google/St. Petersburg

MosNews.com: Google to Start Operations in Russia’s St. Petersburg, Hire 3000

"Google may set up operations at Russia’s new IT Park in St. Petersburg. ' We spoke with Google representatives, and they seemed very keen on the idea,' Russia’s deputy IT and communications minister, Dmitry Milovantsev, was quoted by the media as saying."

"Google’s partner will be the St. Petersburg-based Bonch-Bruyevich State University of Telecommunications. The Internet giant’s spokeswoman was quoted by The Moscow Times newspaper as saying ' we are very interested in Russia and are working to learn more about this important market. We will continue exploring business opportunities in Russia.' "

"Google’s operations at the new IT Park may employ up to 3,000 workers. The park is set to open as early as 2008 and will require an estimated $1 billion in investment, the dean at the university, Alexander Gogol, said. The project will be financed by federal and regional authorities, the World Bank and the tenant companies at the park."