"But then when the Western investors came, they saw that the city was not ready."

Some officials believe there will be considerable interest among Western investors.

But Western investors know from bitter experience not to take them at face value.

Krasnoyarsk-26, however, still needs to line up major Western investors.

"It is important for Western investors to have somebody with a familiar face."

"Provided certain things happen, there will be substantial opportunities for Western investors."

Now they work to solve ecological problems by finding Western investors.

It is the biggest country, the largest population, a growing market, attractive to Western investors, and no sign of movement in the human rights situation.

But Western investors are not filling the void just yet.

But the venture would also need Western investors' money, about $25 million of it.