Following are remarks by U.S. and Russian policymakers and company executives about business ties between the two countries during President Barack Obama's two-day trip to Moscow.

U.S. COMMERCE SECRETARY GARY LOCKE

Locke met top U.S. executives on Monday.

Actually they (U.S. firms) have remarked that they have made great progress, that there can be great economic returns here in Russia but you have to be patient.

America's high ethical standards of conduct can still lead to success... But they (U.S. businessmen) emphasized the need for greater predictability, stability, transparency and the rule of law.

SAMUEL ALLEN, CHAIRMAN OF DEERE & CO

We need the confidence that things are going to remain stable, that the ground rules are going to remain stable.

I believe in the long run that is what the government will try to do but at this point in time things aren't as stable was we would like to see.

It makes us hesitant at times, because you can always see the long range, the future with so much promise, but in the near term it requires additional navigation.

ANDREW SOMERS, PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN RUSSIA

If we have success on the geopolitical side of the summit we are going to see much more investments by U.S. companies.

We hope that President Medvedev will be able to follow through on his continuous campaign to improve the rule of law. I think this is a single biggest inhibitor to investment by U.S. companies, their concern about the rule of law.

JOHN CONROY, BAKER & MCKENZIE

There are hurdles (in Russia-U.S. business relations). What is good is that we are having this kind of dialogue (between Russian and U.S. businessmen.

The right people are going to be there ... government and business working together to make sure that hurdles, whether they are massive or challenging, are addressed. I have the confidence there will be that level of candor in these discussions.

OLEG DERIPASKA, CO-OWNER OF RUSSIAN Aluminum COMPANY RUSAL

The results of the summit should be measured not so much in a number of agreements and memoranda signed, but by a change in atmosphere.
Both countries will benefit if we combine our potentials to achieve breakthroughs in nuclear energy production, resource saving and waste reduction.

Both countries would benefit from clean-up in remaining restrictions in technology exchange, in access to markets and in business travel. We must distinguish between true national interests and past decisions that are a product of bureaucracy, special interests and outdated mentality.

(Editing by Dan Lalor)

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