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After the central Bank’s 11th consecutive refinancing rate cut which way is Russia’s economy headed?

Postal delays hurting Russian market Deliveries from abroad are suffering long customs delays with the service unable to cope with demand. It's also making some big international retailers think twice about setting up in the Russian market.

Chinese generator to join with Sintez for Yaroslavl plant Russian group, Sintez, and Chinese generating giant Huadian have agreed on Wednesday to set up a joint venture to build a new steam-electric plant in Yaroslavl.

Coca-Cola looks to buy Nidan Coca-cola has confirmed that it is planning to acquire Russia’s fourth largest juice maker, Nidan, according to Kommersant.

VimpelCom posts FY 2009 net income of $1.1 billion Russian mobile operator, VimpelCom, has posted a FY 2009 net income of $1.1 billion under U.S. GAAP.

Money exchanges to be limited in Russia The Bank of Russia is published an order calling for money exchange points to cease operation if they are not already part of a bank, or do not become part of one.

Sberbank posts FY 2009 Net profit of 24.4 billion roubles Russia’s largest bank, Sberbank, has posted a FY 2009 net profit of 24.4 billion roubles under IFRS.

Comstar posts FY 2009 net profit of $92.5 million Comstar, Russian largest integrated telecom, has posted a FY 2009 net profit of $92.5 million under US GAAP.

Avtovaz unveils modernization plan Russia's largest carmaker, Avtovaz, has come up with a $3.7 billion investment strategy over this decade. On Thursday the struggling car giant expects to receive the government's go ahead.

Russia to power into global carbon trading market Russia could gain 10% of the global carbon trading market in the next 3-4 years. But the need to invest in environmental projects and a forest of red tape is slowing he process.

Russian tour numbers start to climb over winter Russian tourist numbers began to climb over December and January, with numbers in 8 of the 12 largest Russian tourist destinations above the 2008 and 2009 figures according to a Kommersant report.

Nord Stream secures 3.9 billion Euro Shareholders for the Nord Stream pipeline secured 3.9 billion Euro in credit from a pool of banks on Wednesday. The money is for the construction of the first section of the gas pipeline.

HCF Bank posts FY2009 Net Profit of 5.179 billion Roubles Russian retail and consumer lender, Home Credit and Finance Bank (HCFB) has posted a FY 2009 Net Profit of 5.179 billion roubles under IFRS.

Svyazinvest CEO creates broadband venture fund General Director of Svyazinvest, Evgeny Yurchenko, is launching a venture fund to develop innovations for technology in broadband communications, according to Kommersant.

Ebay Russian launch delayed The launch of the Russian version of eBay, the online auction site, has been delayed until March 25 after it was supposed to open on Tuesday.

Carmakers look for local parts supplier to come up to speed International car manufacturers have the bodies - they just need the parts. That's the message from global car makers working in Russia, who are struggling to find the right quality and price.

Rouble tipped for strong rise over three years Russian Deputy Economy Minister Andrey Klepach has forecast the Russian currency could appreciate by as much as 20% over the next three years.

Russian container traffic shows signs of turning corner Russian container traffic, has grown 18.3% year on year in January and February, after slumping 22% in 2009 with sea borne traffic rising between up to 47% according to Kommersant.

Belarus and Venezuela reach agreement on oil shipments The first days talks between Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has seen the two nations reach agreement on oil shipments to Belarus.

Sberbank to charge commission on utilities payments The Moscow government has decided that commissions on utilities payments should be paid for by residents and not suppliers. Starting May 1, Sberbank will levy a 3% commission, according to Gzt.ru.

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

Russian Railway posts 1H 2009 net profit of 23.4 billion Roubles Russian Railways, Russia's railway giant, has posted a 1H 2009 net profit of 23.4 billion Roubles under IFRS.

Nord Stream set to start as South Stream merger calls rejected The Nord Stream pipeline project is close to securing $5.5 billion worth of finance, with nearly 30 foreign banks expected to approve loans later on Tuesday.

Len Blavatnik has Hollywood dreams Entrepreneur and Access Industries owner, Len Blavatnik, told the Financial Times that he is interested in acquiring Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

Top Russian companies

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VTB overdue debt reaches $2 billion In the last year the amount of VTB overdue loans has increased 50% to $2 billion, according to a report in Vedomosti.

Rusnano looks to Asia for investment Rusnano is looking for joint investment opportunities with Asian nanotechnology firms. Executives from Russia’s high tech champion have gone to Singapore in search of manufacturing partners.

India and Russia link up to boost trade Like tea and biscuits, different but complimentary. Russia and India stand at the heart of the BRICs, the emerging markets that investors love to love.

Russian cash for cars programme roars out of the blocks This week saw the start of Russia’s cash for cars programme, aimed at boosting local carmakers and offering car owners the chance to upgrade cheaply.

Novatek posts FY 2009 Net Profit of 26 billion Roubles Novatek, Russia's largest independent natural gas producer, has posted a FY 2009 Net Profit of 26 billion Roubles under IFRS.

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Top Russian companies

Sudden death defeat for Russian champs in Europa League

Middle East Quartet infuriated over Israel’s latest airstrikes

Naomi Campbell pregnant – tabloid

START pulling into the home stretch – Lavrov

Sorry Uncle Sam, Russia finds a real friend in the UN

Ukraine drifts further from NATO as president sacks Navy chief

Postal delays hurting Russian market

Chinese generator to join with Sintez for Yaroslavl plant

Coca-Cola looks to buy Nidan

VimpelCom posts FY 2009 net income of $1.1 billion

Money exchanges to be limited in Russia

Sberbank posts FY 2009 Net profit of 24.4 billion roubles

Comstar posts FY 2009 net profit of $92.5 million

Historama, March 18

Living museum in the centre of Moscow

St. Petersburg dubbed the sexiest city in Russia

Sudden death defeat for Russian champs in Europa League

All bets off in KHL quarterfinals

Advocaat set to replace countryman Hiddink as Russia coach

Russian recluse mathematician awarded Millennium Prize

What’s inside of me?

Russia to resume space tourism in 2012