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RT asks

With gold prices hitting all time highs should Russia to be thinking of selling some of its reserves?

President looks for financial markets to underpin economic development President Dmitry Medvedev has directed participants at the Council for Financial Market Development to create a development road map, emphasizing the role of financial markets in supporting economic development.

Fiat and Sollers to begin production in Russia Italian carmaker Fiat and Russian producer Sollers will start production of the Italian brand at the Naberezhny Chelny plant. They also plant on producing the Korean SUV Ssang Young.

Lukoil eyes profit in Iraq Russia's largest private oil company, Lukoil, has told RT it can make a profit from its huge investment in Iraq.

Russian bank lending falls again New figures show Russian bank lending fell again in January. The Central Bank says it hopes borrowing activity will recover as the economy pulls out of recession, but also warns of new risks.

Houses warming as property surges into 2010 Moscow’s residential real estate sector is hotting up once again with January sales bouncing back to pre crisis levels.

Cement producers look to export their way into firmer future An expected 15% slump in Russian residential housing is expected to continue to make life tough for Russia’s cement producers over the coming year.

Innovations to unite government and businesses in Russia Russia’s government says it has been generous to big businesses. Now it wants help and its contributions to be returned, with innovation projects in focus.

Carrefour will sell its Russian business in parts The world's second-largest hypermarket chain, Carrefour, having failed to find one buyer for all of its three Russian hypermarkets, is likely to sell leasing rights to rivals, Reuters reports on Friday.

Russian car market welcomes new GAZelle Business in Nizhniy Novgorod While other Russian carmakers have been plagued by problems during the financial crisis, GAZ has unveiled a new commercial van – the GAZelle Business.

Mark Faber: social obligations will lead Western states to default The United States’ top credit rating is at risk, with its triple 'A' status warned it may be downgraded if the economy grows at a slower pace than expected, says ratings agency Moody's.

Russia Forum 2010: alternative energy production is yet to come Politicians and business leaders are in Moscow for the third annual Russia Forum, organised by Troika Dialog, to discuss world economic challenges.

Business leaders discuss Russia’s future RT spoke with a wide range of leading business heads who shared their reviews of 2009, forecasts for 2010, and ideas for future growth and competitiveness of Russian business.

Alfa & Telenor to merge in $23 billion telecoms deal The Russian government has cleared the way for the creation of a new $23 billion telecoms company.

Russia’s IPO market shows growth after one-year lull Dozens of Russian companies are lining up to raise more than $10 billion in IPOs this year, but the issuers should hurry up to go public, as the favorable conditions may soon end.

Aeroflot merger plan given green light Aeroflot is set to acquire Russia’s fragmented regional carriers that will be formed into one company around the St. Petersburg airline Rossiya, thus scrapping the government’s plans to set up a second big state airline.

Junin 6 oilfield to become a Russian–Venezuelan joint venture On Monday, Russia and Venezuela signed a multimillion deal to develop the huge Junin 6 oil field in the South American nation's Orinoco River region – a territory twice as rich as other reserves, such as Saudi Arabia’s.

Foreign firms see potential in Russia’s bad debt market Interest from foreign companies in Russia's bad debt could lead to the formation of the first ever market for non-performing loans in the country, which is, however, unlikely to make for easy pickings.

KHL: that baby sure can run Life's such a funny picture You ask - Russian FM answers Oh, that charming Sophie and her questions.

Rosneft posts FY 2009 Net Income of $6.5 billion Rosneft, Russia’s oil giant, has posted a FY 2009 Net Income of $6.5 billion under US GAAP.

McDonald’s announces further expansion plans in Russia on 20th birthday American fast food giant McDonald's plans to open 45 restaurants in Russia in 2010, investing around $3 million in each.

Gazprom posts 9M 2009 Net Profit of 479.3 billion Roubles Russia’s gas major Gazprom has posted a 9M 2009 Net Profit of 479.3 billion Roubles under IFRS.

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all top companies

Russia’s Deposit Insurance Agency: banks have coped with the crisis so far Russian banks came under severe stress during the financial crisis, which revealed some of the weaknesses in the system, and particularly the high number of small banks with low capitalization.

New trade law hits the market Russia's new trade law comes into force on February 1, with both small producers and retailers being hard hit by the new restrictions.

Sochi plans to cash in on merchandise licensing The first official merchandise of the Sochi 2014 Olympics will be on the shelves by the end of 2010, and is expected to bring $35 million to the local Olympic organizing committee.

Russians forced to put hands deeper in pockets for statutory fees On Friday, amendments to the Tax Code boosting the price of some governmental services two or even fourfold become effective, brining an estimated additional 30 billion Roubles, or about $1 billion, to Russia's budget.

Davos: privatization of Russian state-owned businesses key to funding deficit Russia's leading bankers have been using the World Economic Forum in Davos to push for the privatization of their companies, with the heads of Sberbank and VTB being the most notable.

RT asks

Top Russian companies

Iran to enrich uranium despite possible sanctions

“Current measures to tackle prison abuse not adequate”

Mother makes Chechen president withdraw lawsuit against HR activists

Copycat weapons a threat to Russia's economic security

“Dispute over Iran's nuclear activities might result in a military conflict”

ROAR: Moscow offers another “window of opportunity” to Hamas

President looks for financial markets to underpin economic development

Fiat and Sollers to begin production in Russia

Lukoil eyes profit in Iraq

Russian bank lending falls again

Houses warming as property surges into 2010

Cement producers look to export their way into firmer future

Innovations to unite government and businesses in Russia

Communists keen to unite Russian opposition

Russian roads become safer

Caucasus terrorist group banned in Russia

“No rivals for Russia in Euro 2010 qualifiers”

Zenit aiming for English international

IOC boss warns Russia against doping

Space Shuttle Endeavour blasts off

Historama, February 5

Gunslinger tip: shooting back is faster, but still not fast enough