A new drive to promote Britain abroad, as a place to visit and do business, was launched yesterday by the Prime Minister, David Cameron, in New York, where he is attending the United Nations General Assembly. A new GREAT campaign will focus on everything the UK has to offer as one of the very best places to visit, study, work, invest and do business.

BSR-Russia will leverage the GREAT campaign to promote trade and investment with Britain through a London is Open for Business promotion in Russia in January 2012. "London is Open for Business" will focus on encouraging companies across Russia to raise capital through the London Stock Exchange, establish business ventures in London, visit London and invest in property and art.

President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych will make a working visit to Russia on September 24 at the invitation of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

The visit will focus on the current dispute over the price Ukraine pays Russia for gas imports after discounts against gas transit fees to Europe and for extended use of the Russian Black SDea fleet facilities at Sevastopol in the Crimea.

President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych will make a working visit to Russia on September 24 at the invitation of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

The visit will focus on the current dispute over the price Ukraine pays Russia for gas imports after discounts against gas transit fees to Europe and for extended use of the Russian Black SDea fleet facilities at Sevastopol in the Crimea.

By John Bonar

Andrei Kostin, CEO of VTB has told CNBC that he believes “Bank of Moscow presents a very good banking asset” despite the $12 bn hole found in its balance sheet.

Herbert Moos, VTB’s CFO agrees.

Both VTB executives talk about the size of BoM, the fifth largest bank in Russia with the largest Muscovite client base of about 7 million clients.

VTB which wants to absorb 100% of Bank of Moscow (BoM) by the end of the year, has already consolidated 46.48% of the BoM ordinary shares in the VTB Debt Centre and expects to increase the Group’s stake in BoM to at least 75% by the end of 3Q 2011. That will trigger financial support to the Bank of Moscow by the Deposit Insurance Agency (DIA).

By John Bonar

British Prime Minister David Cameron’s one day visit to Russia at the beginning of last week must be deemed a success. The chitterati who used the British Sunday papers to demand the Prime Minister concentrate on human rights and predicted tough and difficult meetings with President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin over the death of Alexander Litvinenko must have gnashed their teeth in disappointment. 

Commercial deals and Science & Innovation deals signed during David Cameron's visit to Moscow

Plastic Logic:

Plastic Logic has won $700 million of funding from Rusnano to acquire the IP rights for Plastic Logic computers. Plastic Logic, which grew out of Cambridge University’s Cavendish Laboratory to a world leader in organic electronics, is introducing its first commercial product, an electronic textbook for the Russian education market. The device is the first in the world to feature its PlasticPaperTM technology, which enables large, amazingly thin, lightweight displays that are uniquely shatterproof and flexible. Backed by a $700 million total investment package secured earlier this year with RUSNANO, Plastic Logic is also building a new volume-manufacturing site in Zelenograd, Russia. This is an excellent example of British technology and opportunities for British companies seeking Russian funding.

Wizz Air’s Kiev base now serves 12 destinations with addition this week of Barcelona (Girona) and Valencia.

When Wizz Air first entered the Ukrainian market in July 2008, it focused on domestic services, and operated with just one aircraft from a base at Kiev’s Borispol airport. International services began to London Luton in December 2008, followed in January 2009 by further services to Cologne/Bonn, Dortmund, Katowice and Oslo Torp.

Wizz Air’s Kiev base now serves 12 destinations with addition this week of Barcelona (Girona) and Valencia.

When Wizz Air first entered the Ukrainian market in July 2008, it focused on domestic services, and operated with just one aircraft from a base at Kiev’s Borispol airport. International services began to London Luton in December 2008, followed in January 2009 by further services to Cologne/Bonn, Dortmund, Katowice and Oslo Torp.