Mining Russia.

The article focuses on the Russian aerospace industry. The interest of Western companies in Russia stems from several factors including being a source of vital raw material, and for having extensive aerospace engineering talent that is in short supply in the U.S. and Europe. Boeing Commercial Airplanes took a big step in 1998 when it opened the Boeing Design Center in Moscow. Similarly, production factors are emerging as important potential payoffs. EADS has told Russian officials that if all goes well, they could become a full partner in the Airbus A320-family replacement aircraft.