By 2014 Lukoil plans to increase gas extraction at four fields in Bolshekhetskaya depression in Yamalo-Netets Autonomous District (YaNAD) three times. In the company declare they have already agreed on around 30 billion cu. m. of gas deliveries to the unified gas supply system (UGSS). Gazprom does not confirm its intentions to increase quota for Lukoil. However, the monopoly will meet capacities surplus in this region by that time.

Within international air show, “Farnborough 2008″, in England Russia’s Oboronprom United Industrial Corporation (UIC) and Italian helicopter producer AgustaWestland (AW) have signed a framework agreement about joint venture establishment to produce helicopters. As it is stated in the parties’ press release, the core task of Oboronprom and AgustaWestland venture is organization of AW139 helicopters assembly in Russia.

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) plans to purchase 28,25% stocks of Kazanskiy Bank due to current stocks purchase and participation in additional issue. EBRD directors’ board approved this project on June, 25. Russia Partners, direct investment fund, acts as co-investor; it was established by the American Siguler Guff & Company to invest in assets in Russia and the CIS countries.

One of the survival ways for the Russian medium banks over access restriction to the capital is takeover by the foreign players. The largest Cyprian Bank of Cyprus has purchased 80% of Russia’s Uniastrum Bank at a low price. Despite the fact, the bank has an extensive multi-branch banking and long experience at the market, its price has significantly dropped as the result of world financial crisis.

First within ten years Lukoil has purchased an oil refinery in Europe: on June, 24 the company has purchased 49% in ISAB, the Italian oil refinery complex. How the company has managed to do this, how it compensates the oil extraction drop that has started this year and where it is going to operate, told in the interview Vagit Alekperov, Lukoil Company president and joint owner

Russia’s Severstal that has raised its offer price by 13% to $775 million becomes the buyer of the American steel producer – Esmark. The Russian company competitor – the Indian Essar – gave up a further fight. Experts mark Severstal has paid double on a ton of Esmark products basis as compared to its previous American purchases and they do not expect a positive effect from a purchase in the nearest future.

Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (Minekonomrazvitie) has supported Federal Property Management Agency (Rosimushchestvo) offer about transfer of the largest gas transporter SG-Trans to Russian Railways JSC (RZD). However, the ministry suggests obliging the state-owned monopoly to sell SG-Trans non-core business of gas realization. RZD will not protest against the sale of SG-Trans non-core business, and it will be relatively easy to find a buyer, as experts consider.

Israeli National Infrastructure Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer offered Gazprom to deliver gas to Israel market. According to Israel government calculations, by 2010 gas consumption in the country can grow up to 8 billion cu. m. against 0,8 billion cu. m. in 2007. This contract would help Gazprom to fill the Blue Stream gas pipeline, but one should construct gas-transport infrastructure from Turkey to Israel to organize deliveries.

Banks engaged in the retail lending will before long have an additional opportunity of prospective borrowers’ estimation. National credit bureau (NCB) clients will get access to debtors’ database of the largest fixed-line telecommunication operator – Rostelecom. According to experts’ calculations, the number of debtors totals more than 2 million people.

Gazprom continues to cut its presence in affiliated structures. Gas monopolist intends to cut its representatives number in Gazprombank directors’ board, and that enables it to exclude the bank from the consolidated reporting. In experts’ opinion, Gazprom does so to improve its financial indices and to prepare Gazprombank to IPO.