http://rbth.ru/rubrics/business_finance.html Russia Beyond the Headlines en http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/08/30/president_orders_customs_reforms04906.html The president has turned his attention to the brake that the onerous customs procedures are putting on attracting investment into the country. Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/08/30/first_signs_of_recovery_in_jobs_market04907.html Improving employment statistics are supporting hopes of a full economic recovery, although not all sectors have returned to
pre-crisis level. Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/08/30/government_gives_the_green_light_to_going_green04908.html An economic crisis and an oil spill have shown the Russian government the benefits of green technologies, but tax breaks and other policy incentives await approval. Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/08/30/foreign_investors_included_in_privatisation_plans04909.html The government is counting on foreign investors to help it privatise an estimated $29bn in assets to reduce the state’s “excessive” presence in the economy. Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/08/30/insider_trading_finally_outlawed04910.html Insider trading will become
a crime under a new bill submitted by President Dmitry Medvedev to support his bid to turn Moscow into a global financial hub. Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/08/30/dont_discount_the_discounters04911.html Food retailers are locked in a price war, while also feeling the pinch of state regulation of the prices of “socially important” goods during the crisis. Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/08/30/looking_at_banking_the_islamic_way04915.html As Russia’s 20 million Muslims observe Ramadan, the country’s banks are beginning to wake up to the growing opportunities offered by Islamic banking. Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/08/30/reforms_will_challenge_boom_bust_economy04917.html Among both admirers and critics of Russia, there is a popular myth that it is in control of its economic destiny. It is not. For the last decade, and arguably longer, the Russian economy has been driven largely by two factors, both of which are outside its control. For both the cost of natural resources and the cost of capital, Russia is essentially a price-taker. Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/08/26/in_case_of_fire_make_amendments04901.html There are no signs of there being a grain shortage on the horizon this year, but the grain market will be walking a fine line. Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/08/25/for_the_first_time_the_economy_gets_real04890.html It took 20 years and more than one crisis, but the Russians are getting interested in saving again. This will fuel Russia's cash-poor economy. Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/08/25/home_buyers_tripped_by_mortgage_market_hurdles04893.html Russia’s mortgage industry remains in its nascent stages, making a new home out of reach for many people without the paperwork or cash upfront. Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/08/17/youtube_advertising_goes_russian.html Google has launched a new advertising product on the Russian market, Youtube commercials, revealed a source from an unidentified media company. Vladimir Dolgov, head of Google Russia, confirmed the comment. A pilot campaign was held on the Youtube portal in mid-July, in which Google offered 7 million displays for 275,000 roubles, or 1,000 displays for 39.3 roubles, which is very inexpensive, the source told Vedomosti. Andrei Chernyshov, General Director of the AdWatch advertising agency, agrees. Indeed, Rutube charges much more for 1,000 displays – between 510 and 900 roubles. Tue, 17 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/08/06/russian_kvass_wins_americans_hearts_04864.html Fri, 06 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/08/03/survey_finds_optimism_emerging_markets.html The future looks bright for emerging economies, according to the Grant Thornton International Business Report 2010. Tue, 03 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/07/31/russian_economy_gets_real.html For most of the last 20 years, interest rates in Russia have been below the rate of inflation - known as "negative real interest rates." However, interest rates have turned positive, which means that for the first time Russians can actually make a profit from stashing their money in a bank. It is a subtle difference of a few basis points, but the flip into positive real interest rates should have a profound and long-term beneficial effect on the economy Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/07/26/fighting_corruption_Russia_hard.html It was always going to take a long time, but Russian President Dmitry Medvedev admitted on July 14 that his crusade against corruption has not yielded much success so far. "It is obvious that no one is satisfied with our progress in clamping down on corruption," Medvedev said, adding that there had been no major achievements in a campaign he had flagged as a priority of his presidency. Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/07/21/dudley_showed_loyalty_russia_years.html While BP is hyping Bob Dudley as a home-grown American who cares about country as much as company, his track record in Russia shows him to be a hard-core BP loyalist just as dismissive of external concerns as BP’s now-notorious CEO Tony Hayward. Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/07/20/russian_labor_market_rising.html The number of companies recruiting new personnel in Russia has edged up by 1 percent worldwide this year, to 54 percent, according to a report by the Antal Russia recruitment agency. The percentage of companies planning to hire new staff increased from 55 percent to 58 percent, while the number of those planning job cuts dropped from 28 percent to 22 percent. Tue, 20 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/07/09/kudrins_lonely_fight_for_prudence_continues.html Finance minister Alexei Kudrin has been fighting a battle - a somewhat lonely one at times - for economic liberalism and fiscal prudence for decade or so now. And despite the fact that it was only the $600bn in reserves that he had ringfenced that saved the Russian economy from sliding totally into the abyss last year, he still has to fight the same battles over and over again. Fri, 09 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/07/01/modernisation_as_liberty_for_businessmen.html Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/06/30/gas_power.html Gazprom won’t give up the “take or pay” system and hopes to compensate for the shortfalls in sales in the coming years when demand for gas revives again. The company envisions significant growth in demand over the next 20 years, notwithstanding global economic problems and alternative sources of energy. Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/06/29/foreign_entrepreneurs_praise_medvedev.html Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/06/29/oil_medvedev_wants_legal_framework_for_oil_spills.html Dmitry Medvedev has proposed an international agreement for tackling the prevention and treatment of oil spills, as Tony Hayward addressed worries about the company’s activities in Russia. Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/06/29/kemerovo_the_high_price_of_coal.html While Russian miners risk their lives to hit targets and earn their bonuses, new legislation to protect their rights is being considered 
by the state duma. Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/06/29/harvest_for_the_world.html In the Nineties, Russia was facing food shortages. Today, wheat exports are among the highest in the world, but the country’s infrastructure is struggling to keep up. Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/06/29/the_midas_touch.html The price of gold has soared in global markets as wary investors seek to protect their savings against a possible “second wave” of the economic crisis. Some Russian banks have now reverted to the strategy of offering deposits in gold. Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/06/29/Dollars bring jobs in foreign cash bonanza.html Russia rose through the ranks of European countries where foreign direct investment produced the most jobs and facilities last year, edging up two rungs 
to fifth place. Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/06/29/dont_overcook_the_recovery.html The sluggishness of advanced economies contrasts with dynamic growth in emerging markets, yet controlling spending remains a critical challenge. Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/06/29/youve_got_seven_minutes_to_make_your_point.html Forum: Place of or meeting for public discussion . It’s common these days for any large gathering of people united by some business interest to describe their get-together as “a forum”. But I seriously question how many of such gatherings actually deserve the title. In many cases, “lecture” ( discourse before audience on given subject ) would be more appropriate. Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/06/29/coca_cola_starts_selling_kvas_in_us.html Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/06/23/in_hundreds_or_in_bricks.html Leading Russian commercial bank Uralsib has revived a strategy, accounts in gold, which aims to profit from mounting fear of a second crisis. Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/06/22/belarus_backs_down_gas.html That was quick. Russia's state-owned gas monopoly began to cut Belarus off at 10am on Monday morning over an unpaid $200m in unpaid energy bill, but by 4pm Minsk had backed down and promised to cough up "within two weeks." Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/06/21/apple_planting_not_apple_picking.html The high point was Russian president Dmitry Medvedev keynote speech, which redefined the role of foreign investors with new policies that the Kremlin hopes will make Russia a truly attractive investment destination. Mon, 21 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/06/16/cold_shower_russian_ipos.html The huge pipeline of IPOs anticipated this year in Russia is set to shrink as issuers hit a wall built by investors refusing to pay the top dollar demanded. While this will greatly reduce the flow of issues, some companies will just have to swallow it. Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/06/11/world_bank_says_russia_will_drive_europe.html Russia will play a key role in Europe's recovery as one of the few engines of growth on the continent in the near term, according to a June 10 World Bank report. Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/06/10/europe_boosts_lng_purchases.html European officials aim to buy more liquefied natural gas in an effort to reduce dependence on Russian gas imports, said a Total official, according to The Moscow Times. Thu, 10 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/06/08/nokia_set_to_join_skolkovo.html President Dmitry Medvedev and Nokia President Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo met at the Russian president’s Gorki residence outside Moscow on June 3. Nokia’s advantages include its strong record in startup operations and its proven ability guide innovative projects from the ground up. Medvedev and Kallasvuo also discussed the idea of making Skolkovo not just a research and development center, but also a good place for start-up businesses. Nokia’s president said it is important for the company to discuss participation in Russia’s modernization drive, including cooperation with the country’s leading universities and research centers. Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/06/05/car_sector_stalls_foreigners_still_investing.html The global economic crisis cut the boom in car sales in Russia in half, but even in the depths of the meltdown international carmakers based in the country continued to pour hundreds of millions of dollars into new plants. Russia briefly took the title of biggest car market in Europe in the summer of 2008 and as the economy bounces back, it is getting ready to make another assault on the summit. Sat, 05 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/06/01/flotations_tank_as_fear_returns.html A combination of factors, such as European financial downshifting and market volatility, have caused some Russian companies to cancel or rethink planned IPOs. Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/06/01/driving_new_roads_ppp_leads_the_way.html Final documents to kick off Russia’s first major private-public partnerships (PPP) project were officially signed at the end of April. The deals not only finally conclude a long and winding process to get this particular brand of investment up-and-running in Russia, but mark important steps in improving the country’s investment climate and developing its transport infrastructure. Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/06/01/beware_a_plague_of_frogs.html If you’re superstitious and in international business, you must be having a pretty hard time of it right now. You’re just seeing your business – along with the wider economy – pull out of the worst financial crisis in living memory, you’re buoyed by the chance of getting those order books filling up again, when… wallop! Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/06/01/hp_deal_gives_great_credit_to_st_petersburg.html Long seen as a centre of excellence and innovation, Russia’s second city welcomes an IT joint venture between two of the world's biggest players. Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/06/01/fridman_succeeds_in_phone_war.html From window cleaner to one of Russia’s richest men, Mikhail Fridman has always set his sights high. And now it appears his telecoms dream may c ome true. Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/06/01/4g_technology_casts_net_wider.html New applications and diversified holding companies are the key future trends in Russian telecoms as mobile technology enters a new experimental phase. Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/05/31/after_facebook_and_livejournal_russia_buys_twitter.html After swallowing ICQ and a minority interest in Facebook, this fund part-owned by one of the world’s richest men, Alisher Usmanov, is planning to buy more and ready to set aside another $1 billion for the purpose. Among the most likely candidates for purchase is the micro-blog service Twitter. Mon, 31 May 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/05/28/russia_2010_no_greek_tragedy.html Greece’s financial meltdown sounds all too familiar to Russia’s experience in 1998. Yet differences between the two show how far Moscow has come in 12 years. Fri, 28 May 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/05/27/dependence_on_foreign_cash_must_go.html The financial crisis highlighted the financial sector’s dependence on foreign investors. RN spoke to the CFO of one of Russia’s largest banks about this phenomenon. Thu, 27 May 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/05/27/the_future_of_banking_in_russia.html Russia’s banking sector suffered much less from the world’s financial and economic crisis compared to many emerging and most developed markets.Largely, this was due to a significantly lower leverage level and low international wholesale funding exposure level. At the beginning of 2008, the ratio of assets to equity stood at just eight for Russian banks, compared to 38 for European banks and 31 for American banks. Foreign borrowings accounted for just 20 percent of total assets. During the crisis, only 18 banks sank to the bottom, none of them crucial for the stability of the banking system as a whole or any large market segment. Thu, 27 May 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/05/27/from_moscow_to_the_regions.html The government’s policy of bringing high-speed Internet to the regions is likely to affect not only the most remote regions of the country, but the entire Internet market. Thu, 27 May 2010 00:00:00 +0400 http://rbth.ru/articles/2010/05/25/kudrin_floats_spending_cuts.html The situation is beginning to get serious for Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin, who floated the possibility of cutting government spending on May 20. Tue, 25 May 2010 00:00:00 +0400