The Russian government has taken the decision to direct available federal budgetary funds to fight against the liquidity crisis of the banking system. Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov signed the proper order, which could be applied already in the mid-April. In the Ministry of Finance and in the banking association consider that the April liquidity crisis could be avoided in this case

The chairman of the Sverdlovsk region government Viktor Koksharov took part in region presentation for the representatives of US Chamber of Commerce in Russia. The presentation was held in Moscow

The discussion about the value added tax (VAT) reduction from 2009 is over. The Vice Prime Minister Alexey Kudrin declared that instead of VAT reduction in 2009 the state will reduce the mineral extraction tax (MET). And that will reduce the oil companies’ tax collection by RUR 100 bln. However, the present tax imposition for Gazprom remains, for which the Ministry of Finance planned MET increase. The decision was approved by the president Vladimir Putin; therefore the lobbyists of VAT reduction have already considered it final

Standard & Poor’s rating agency changed the ratings’ forecast for two Russian public banks from “stable” to “positive” ones – Bank for Development and Foreign Economic Affairs (Vnesheconombank) and Russian Bank for Development (RBD). At the same time the ratings were confirmed on the former levels as it is said in the agency press-release posted on the Standard & Poor’s website.

Transnational corporation Shell plans to develop own business in the Astrakhan region in Russia. Such are the negotiations’ results of the company representatives with Alexander Zhilkin, the governor of the region.

The British bank Barclays did not hide plans to enter the Russian bank market. Last year Barclays said about intention to acquire small Russian credit institution that already has a bank license. It became known about realization of this plan – Barclays declared about the acquisition of the Moscow Expobank, included in the Russian top hundred of the largest banks, for $745 million

The continuing price growth in the world market of mineral fertilizers provoked the surge of capitalizations of some Russian producers. The most growth show potassic and phosphorous producers, while nitrogenous enterprises do not trade practically. Analysts connect this to the corporate risks of the similar Russian plants.

After Bank of Moscow that first began to invest in the Russian forest industry other Russian banks ran to this industry. It was known that VTB acquired 10,07% of the Finnish forest business corporation Ruukki Group Oyj at Procomex S.A. company for €76,9 mln, realizing large investment project in the Kostroma region in Russia.

Federal Tax Service (FTS) reported about extraordinarily high growth of tax revenues. In January, 2008 as compared to January, 2007 they grew almost by 70%. The growth dynamics of tax collections repeatedly outstrips the growth rates of economy even adjusted for inflation.

Expenses for advertising attained almost $9 bln in 2007, advertisers spent $2,4 bln more on different marketing services (promotion actions, direct mail etc.), declared the Russian Association of Communication Agencies (RACA). However, the RACA does take into account the row of positions: commissions of middlemen, context advertising in the Internet, expenses for PR. With their account, as specialists counted up, expenses for promotion of products and services exceeded $13,7 bln in 2007.