Prime Minister Vladimir Putin touted the attractiveness of investing in Russia to an audience of global chief executives Monday, boasting that he knew 'the majority of you are planning to continue to boost your participation in the Russian market.'

Mr. Putin's upbeat message came as long-term investment" target="_blank" title="n.投资；(时间等)投入">investment in Russia has shown signs of picking up slightly from the lows hit in the wake of the financialcrisis. Foreign direct investment" target="_blank" title="n.投资；(时间等)投入">investment, at about $7 billion in the first half of the year, is still far below the pace of 2007 and 2008, when it came in at nearly twice the speed, according to the Federal Statistics Service.

Still, many big companies are boosting investment" target="_blank" title="n.投资；(时间等)投入">investment in spending in Russia. Germany's Siemens AG on Monday pledged