This year McDonald’s intends to invest USD135 million expanding and remodelling outlets in Russia, its fastest growing market in Europe. At a press conference in Moscow to mark the chain’s 20th anniversary in the country, McDonald’s CEO Jim Skinner told press it would open 40-45 new outlets per year up until 2012 and expects 20% sales growth this year. The chain currently has around 245 outlets in more than 60 Russian cities. Russia forms a key part of its USD1.2 billion development strategy for Europe, where it plans to open another 250 outlets this year.