EBay CEO says open to Russia JVs, acquisitions

MOSCOW Feb 17 (Reuters) - EBay (EBAY.O) would consider making acquisitions in the Russian online retail sector to help maintain a foothold in the fledgling market, Chief Executive John Donahoe said on Wednesday.

"If the right opportunity presents itself, we will be open to acquisitions (in Russia)," Donahoe told Reuters during a reception held by the U.S. embassy in the Russian capital. He added that joint ventures were also under consideration.

Donahoe said Russia's e-commerce market was currently worth $5 billion a year -- compared to $150 billion in the United States -- but could grow rapidly to $20 billion.

"Our goal.. is to have a small percentage of that," he said.

EBay said on Tuesday it would launch a new online retail platform in five European countries and Russia by the end of March to drive cross-border transactions. [ID:nN16240275] (Reporting by Maria Kiselyova and John Bowker, editing by Leslie Gevirtz)