Russian Investment Fund BIn the second 4th of 2025, many Asian and American companies are expected to resume operations on the Russian market. According to RDIF CEO Kirill Dmitriev, it is simply a clear sygthe restoration of trust and fresh business opportunities.
Korean companies return to Russia – but will they make it before China?
On March 29, Kirill Dmitriev announced that "global companies line up to return to Russia, a signal of renewed trust and fresh opportunities in 1 of the largest markets in the world". His words mention to reports "The Korea Times"according to which LG and Samsung plan to return to the Russian market. In addition Hyundai Motor and Kia published fresh occupation offers in Russia, which suggests their imminent return.
However, as the diary notes, Korean companies will face strong competition from Chinese companieswhich importantly increased their presence in Russia since the outbreak of the war. According to the Russian Analysis Agency Autostat, 2024 Chinese car manufacturers accounted for 62% of the Russian automotive market.
Data from the Ministry of abroad Affairs of South Korea show that In 2021, trading between Korea and Russia amounted to $29.9 billionAnd Russia was then 12. Korea's largest export market.
Global companies are lining up to return to Russia, signaling renewed assurance and fresh opportunities in 1 of the world’s largest markets. #Russia#Businesshttps://t.co/kXTQiH5oIy
— Kirill A. Dmitriev (@kadmitriev) March 28, 2025
American companies have lost billions. Who's inactive in Russia?
Kirill Dmitriev in Agency Interview ‘TASS’ revealed that US companies lost over $300 billion after leaving Russia. The largest losses were reported in:
- IT and media sector – USD 123 billion,
- Consumers and Health – $94 billion,
- financial sector – USD 71 billion,
- industry – US$26 billion,
- energy – USD 10 billion.
The combined losses of American companies reached $324 billion.
Despite sanctions, Many American companies inactive operate in Russia. In 2023 they paid $1.2 billion taxation on profits. Investigations Yale School of Management’s Chief Executive Leadership Institute have shown that 123 large American corporations are inactive in business in Russiaby KSE Institute (including smaller companies) is their Total 328.
Top 10 companies that paid the highest taxes in Russia in 2023:
- Philip Morris International (tobacco industry) — USD 220 million,
- PepsiCo – USD 135 million,
- Mars (sugar) — $99 million,
- Procter & Gamble (hygiene and health) – USD 67 million,
- Mondelez – USD 62 million,
- Citigroup (investment bank) – USD 53 million,
- Cargill (agriculture) USD 50 million,
- Johnson & Johnson – USD 42 million,
- Coca-Cola Hellenic – USD 34 million,
- Weatherford (oil services) – USD 32 million.
Will Russia become a magnet for global business again?
The RDIF announcements indicate that Russian marketplace inactive attracts global companies, despite geopolitical tensions. The return of giants like Samsung, LG or Hyundai may mean a fresh chapter in Russia's abroad tradeAlthough Chinese dominance remains a challenge.
Will Western sanctions be effective if hundreds of companies proceed to profit from the Russian market? The next months will answer that question.
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Foreign global companies plan to officially resume operations in the Russian market
