Foreign investors expect reforms from Russia's Medvedev

Foreign investors on Monday welcomed Dmitry Medvedev's victory in the Russian presidential election, saying they hoped it would kickstart reforms as the country braces for economic challenges ahead.
"The wedding is over, now it is time for the honeymoon. Investors hope that it will be a very long and happy one and that it produces a bounty of beautiful reforms," said Chris Weafer, an analyst for Uralsib, an investment bank.
Medvedev's views about the economy have until now been largely obscured because of his role as part of the Kremlin bureaucracy. But he is seen as generally more liberal than his mentor, President Vladimir Putin.
In a campaign speech last month, Medvedev talked about the need to reduce the role of the state in the Russian economy, boost the independence of the judiciary, battle corruption and defend personal freedoms.
"I think the investor response will be very favourable.... Everything we've heard him say has been about the continuation of free market reforms," said Neil Cooper, head of the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce.
Andrew Somers, head of the American Chamber of Commerce in Moscow, also sounded an upbeat note, saying: "It's going to be good news for business.... Foreign investment will continue to come in here in large amounts."