The New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, was to host its annual Russia Day on Nov. 18, to gather business executives and investors to discuss opportunities in Russia, a statement from the exchange said, while the American gay community said it would protest.
The Russian delegation, headed by the Deputy Economic Development Minister Sergey Belyakov will visit New York on Monday for sessions on Russia's economic development, the oil and gas sector, and emergence of a new generation of businessmen, Prime reported.
"Russia Day at the NYSE provides an excellent opportunity to demonstrate to international investors how the recent developments in Russia's investment and economic policies have unlocked further investment opportunities in Russia," Belyakov said. "One of our key priorities remains to attract international investors to Russia, be it through capital markets or foreign direct investments."
Albert Ganyushin, head of Listings — International, NYSE Euronext, said the goal of the event is to increase awareness of the "Russian market's dynamic economic picture and opportunities for capitalizing on growth."
The U.S. LGBT community, however, planned to use the event to increase awareness of a different type by staging a protest in front of the Federal Hall in Manhattan on the day of the event to accuse the Russian government of homophobic discrimination connected to the anti-gay propaganda law.
LGBT activists signed a petition through Change.org which said that "American money should not be supporting a country that is terrorizing its gay community."
The NYSE responded to the petition on Saturday by saying that the purpose of the event is to promote "entrepreneurship, financial market development and job creation," and that the event should not be viewed "as an implicit of explicit validation of any Russian government or social policies," Towleroad gay community news site reported.
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