Rzhev today

Location:	230 km West of Moscow, along Volga River
Population:	70,000 (City), 17,000 (District) (55.0% female)
Economic base:	Predominantly agriculture, some industrial (machine building and metal fabrication), food production. Good downstream potential in wood processing, tourism, business and personal services.
Critical development factors:	1. Strategic location with good transportation access to markets – West (Baltics) and East (Moscow). Old city with rich history, located along Volga River, beautiful nature and picturesque landscape, mixed forests, hills and fertile fields. Potential for agriculture and resource development. 2. Labour market characterized by high unemployment and underemployment. While only information on registered unemployment is available, of this total 78.6% are female. Not surprisingly market place is characterized by low disposable incomes, difficult tax and regulatory structure, limited opportunities for women/youth, absence of capital. 3. Community has a history of entrepreneurship and community understanding of the importance of SMEs.