Russia and the region are endowed with one of the world’s most diverse and rich reserves of natural resources. Baring Vostok funds have actively invested in energy and forestry companies starting from the early privatisation projects of the 1990s, and later with the establishment of Burren Energy, an international oil company with assets in the Caspian region, in Africa, India and the Middle East. Since 1994, The funds have invested in a total of 18 projects related to natural resources, with total investments approximately $450 million .