John Bonar
Medvedev keeps his date in Davos
Dmitry Medvedev flew into Davos and delivered a speech to the delegates of the World Economic Forum today. He began his speech by addressing the tragedy that has shaken Russian society: the terrorist attack at Domodedovo airport. Noting that globalisation has made the world more interdependent, Mr Medvedev highlighted the need to create a global security system that is equal for all states, emphasising the necessity to do everything for sustainable, safe and fair global development.
British business mission to Russia set for April
Security stepped up at Russian airports, rail stations
Russian airports and major train stations from Moscow to Vladivostok have had a dramatic increase in security with tighter controls over public access and increased militia presence inside their perimeters. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev today sacked the chief of the country's transport police in the wake of the suicide attack at Moscow's international airport that claimed 35 lives and warned of more dismissals if the officers did not perform their duties properly.
Police investigate corrupt Russian EBRD officials
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, EBRD, has lifted immunity on four Russian officials, including Elena Kotova the bank board director for Russia to enable police in Russia and London to investigate allegations of corruption. Kotova was fired by Russian Prime MInister Vladimir Putin.
$650 million Russian money secures Plastic Logic
Plastic Logic, a company spun off from Cambridge University in 2000 and now head-quartered in Mountain View California, is to concentrate on plastic microchip development to replace the silicon based variety on which the industry is currently based. Backed by an input of $200 million of which $150 million came from Russian state-backed Rusnano last month. Rusnano took 25% stake in the company.
Rosneft deal is Hayward's legacy to BP
By John Bonar
The huffing and puffing is dying down as the world realizes that what it had perceived as a shock deal between BP and Rosneft has been a long time in the making, thoroughly thought out and indeed can be portrayed as Tony Hayward's legacy to BP. Ultimately it is a win-win deal for BP and Russia.It is also a deal in which the Russian government has played a key role, emphasising that whatever quibbles and differences British politicians may have with Moscow, the Russian government at least is happy to do business with the UK and UK firms.
American sour grapes over BP
Oh dear!
I read in the Financial Times that US politicians are voicing concerns about the tie up between Rosneft and BP. What's the problem? They were not complaining last week when BP sent 100,000 metric tons of Russian oil to the U.S. West Coast to alleviate some of the capacity gap from the Trans Alaska Pipeline that had to be shut down last week. That's roughly 700,000 barrels of oil, a bit more than a day's production from the North Slope.
BP signs a 'deal of the century' with Russia
Russia's state oil company Rosneft, whose chairman is deputy prime minister Igor Sechin, has signed what analysts are calling a 'deal of the century' with international energy major BP and described by the companies as a "groundbreaking strategic global alliance". As part of the deal Rosneft will take 5% of BP's shares in exchange for approximately 9.5% of Rosneft's shares.
The lights come back on in Moscow Region - but for how long?
By Andy Potts
After more than two weeks of power shortages, Moscow Region finally got itself plugged in once again on Monday.
Can China save the Euro?
China wants an alternative to the US Dollar and has chosen the troubled, and some say terminally declining, Euro.
