Culture

On September 9th, 2009 (9/9/9) the world famous house of Fabergé officially reopened after a 90-year hiatus. Now majority-owned by Pallinghurst Resources with family members on the board, the company has designed a revolutionary new business model including round-theclock online client service. Fabergé is aiming to reclaim its glorious past and international reputation for excellence. An interview with Fabergé CEO Mark Dunhill at his Geneva boutique.

READ

Culture
FRANCE-RUSSIA MAKE 2010 A YEAR OFCULTURAL EXCHANGE

	Spring 2010 marked a landmark event in Franco-Russian diplomatic relations with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s state visit to Paris on March 2nd. French President Nicolas Sarkozy will be returning the gesture in May. It is symbolic that these two important visits take place in 2010, the Year of France in Russia and the Year of Russia in France.
	READ

Culture
THE REVIVAL OF ANCIENT SHRINES

	Svetlana Medvedev came to Murom to promote the idea of Love, Family and Fidelity Day, a new festival on July 8, the feast of Saints Peter and Fevronia.
	READ

Culture
RUSSIA : THE NEW MARKET FOR LUXURY

	Due to rising prices for primary commodities, a new generation of large fortunes is appearing in Russia. Consumer habits are less flashy and are aligning themselves more with those of western countries. Rare art works and limited editions are now in fashion.
	READ

Culture
Submarines for superbillionaires

	The American company US Submarines markets luxury submersibles – a pleasant way to discover the deep ocean, for a few very wealthy Jules Verne aficionados.
	READ

Culture
CHRISTIE’S IN MOSCOW

	Christie’s organized a presale exhibition the renovated Pashkov Mansion and announced its intention to open an office in Moscow.
	READ

Culture
RUSSIA TO HAVE SET UP FOUR GAMBLING ZONES

	Gaming business in Russia is learning to live according to new rules. By banning the gambling business out of the cities, Russia is about to set up huge autonomous special zones.
	READ

Culture
ON MARS IN 2017

	Russia gets ready for a piloted expedition to Mars. Yuri Zaitsev, academic advisor with the Russian Academy of Engineering Sciences, analyses the technical challenge of the Russian project for Business Mir.
	READ

Culture
ZOFKA: A SUCCESS STORY À LA RUSSIAN

	Myriam Russo and Michael Ricar from the Swiss electro band Zofka couldn’t believe their ears when an English journalist told them they were in the Russian hit-parade’s top five. They have since been playing in Moscow’s smartest clubs.
	READ

Culture
A SWISS AGENCY IN MOSCOW

	A networking wiz, young Simone Pengel from Basel opened a photography agency in Moscow three years ago. This is her take on the expansion of advertising in Russia.
	READ

Culture
Pole of Tensions

	Russia planted a titanium flag on the arctic seabed, resuming a dispute that goes back to the 1920’s.
	READ

Culture
Sochi: a new challenge for world champion Bernhard Russi

	Bernhard Russi, a legendary Swiss alpine skier, supervises the construction of alpine trails in Krasnaya Polyana near Sochi for the upcoming winter Olympics. In his interview to BM, he talks about his work in the Caucasus and his views on Russia.
	READ

Culture
“HIGHER CULTURE HAS NO MONETARY VALUE”

	Sergei Skripka was just 14 years old when he was struck by a revelation while riding the trolleybus in Kharkov.
	READ

Culture
RUSSIA RAVES IN SEA FEVER

	Russia is experiencing a real yacht boom. To obtain a prestigious model the customer has to wait several years for delivery.
	READ

Culture
A NEW SOTHEBY’S OFFICE IN MOSCOW

	Drawn by the booming market of Russian art, the famous auction house has opened an office in the Russian capital.
	READ

Culture
THE WORLD OF THE FUTURE – HOPES, FORECASTS AND CHALLENGES

	Some analysts predict that by 2050 Russia will have surpassed Britain, France and Germany. Dr. Aleksei Kuznetsov comments on this forecast.
	READ

Culture
CARTIER IN THE KREMLIN

	From May 25 through August 25, 2007, Moscow hosts an exhibition of historical jewellery by the famous French company Cartier, which is on display at the Assumption Cathedral of Moscow’s Kremlin.
	READ

Culture
“I WROTE MY MOST IMPORTANT BOOKS IN SWITZERLAND”

	A popular author in Pushkin’s country, Mikhail Shishkin has been living in Switzerland for over 10 years, a time away that has allowed him to see his homeland through a Swiss prism.
	READ

Culture
The Caspian Sea’s black pearls

	The Caspian Sea’s wild sturgeon is threatened, but that’s making one promising business prosper: aquaculture. It’s an opportunity to jump upon as this year begins. Here’s the lowdown in a fewfigures
	READ

Culture
Tatarstan, East of Moscow, is a paradise for investors

	An important piece in the ethnic mosaic composing the Russian Federation, Tatarstan is rife with opportunities waiting to be seized upon. The special economic zone set up barely a year ago, in Yelabuga province, offers promising results for daring investors.
	READ

Culture
SWISS TALES FOR RUSSIAN TOTS

	Switzerland will be the guest of honour atMoscow’s book fair,where the publisher Samokat is releasing Russian translations of the Wallis writer Corinna Bille.
	READ

Culture
CHUKOTKA

	To the very Eastern tip of Russia lies Chukotka. This wild region facing Alaska is home to many natural wonders. FC Novosti invites you to take a closer look into it.
	READ

Culture
“Russia’s call represents an exceptional opportunity for Western Europe”

	World famous specialist in Russian literature, Georges Nivat talks about the big Eastern country. A tale between fiction and reality.
	READ

Culture
SHE KNEW HOW TO KEEP THE BAR HIGH…

	Bolshoi’s prima ballerina Yekaterina Maximova died of heart failure on April 28.
	READ

Culture
Nizhny Novgorod – Switzerland: contacts growing stronger

	Since the opening of a Russian- Swiss print shop in 1992, the city on the Volga river has been attracting more and more Swiss investors.
	READ

Culture
KALININGRAD

	Russia’s Western-most region is a world of its own. Its amber fields and all the natural resources make it a promising investment ground.
	READ

Culture
FRANÇOIS LEFORT, A GENEVA NATIVE IN THE TSAR’S SERVICE

	François Lefort was born in Geneva in 1656, the son of merchant traders. However, when the time came, Lefort turned his back on the business world and chose instead to fight as a mercenary, first in the French and Dutch armies and later in the Russian ranks. He would come to play an important role in the latter country’s history...
	READ

Culture
SOLO MÂTINE

	The yound stylist from Geneva prepares to open a second boutique in Moscow.
	READ

Culture
PHILLIPS DE PURY & COMPANY’S RUSSIAN HORIZONS

	The auction house’s take-over by luxury group Mercury marks a new milestone on the road to Russia.
	READ

Culture
THE HERITAGE OF RUSSIA'S LAST TSAR

	In October, the Russian Supreme Court rehabilitated Russia's last emperor, Nicholas II, and his family. This has raised the matter of property restitution which the Romanovs' heirs may demand from Russia.
	READ

Culture
BOLSHOI THEATRE: LIFE IN PHOTOGRAPHS

	The photo exhibition "The Golden Century of Russian Ballet: 100 selected photographs from Leonid Zhdanov's archive" was on display in the Solyanka Gallery last May. The photos and their author are unique. The life of Leonid Zhdanov, a professor at the Moscow State Academy of Choreography, has been divided into two parts that form a single whole.
	READ

Culture
TEAM GAMES: RUSSIA’S GRAND RETURN

	International successes are piling up for Russian sports clubs in disciplines as varied as football, basketball, volleyball or handball. Russian national teams are also taking advantage of this clear spell with a world title for the ice hockey players last May and a good showing in the Euro Football Cup.
	READ

Culture
THE CZECH REPUBLIC OFFERS HUNDREDS OF CASTLES FOR SALE

	Not everybody knows that one of the most castle-rich countries in Europe is… the Czech Republic. This small country in Central Europe has over 2,000 castles. For those looking to live within ancient walls covered with ivy, the Czech market might have quite a good offer available. Here, the castles are still much cheaper than in other countries.
	READ

Culture
MEMORY PILGRIM: AMEETING WITH ARTIST BORIS ZABOROV

In a narrow lane near Place de la Nation in Paris, I notice froma distance the familiar figure of Boris Zaborov. He has come out to meet me. When he sees me, he raises his hand. The sun is behind him, and the effect is as if he were holding a sunray as the legendary pilgrim’s staff. This is the metaphor I have been searching for when contemplating his life and work. He does look like a pilgrim, the eternal traveller...

READ

	Central Bank affirms refinancing rate
	31-08-2010 MOSCOW. The board of directors of Russia’s Central Bank has decided to affirm the refinancing rate and the interest rate on its transactions, the bank’s external and public relations department said. Given the current trends in the Russian economy and persistent inflation risks due to obtaining monetary conditions, the Bank of Russia deems it possible to affirm the parameters of the monetary and credit policy aimed at facilitating the growth of loan activity in the banking sector and resumption of sustainable economic growth, the statement reads.	X

	LUKoil ups production of market-grade hydrocarbons 2% in 1h10
	31-08-2010 MOSCOW. LUKoil on Tuesday reported that its six-month production of market-grade hydrocarbons grew 1.9% in the first six months of 2010 year-on-year, to 2.262mn bpd of oil equivalent. Daily gas production rose 25.5%, to 300,000 bpd of oil equivalent, Russia's number two oil producer said. The company produced 48.14mn metric tons (353.8mn bbl) of crude in the reporting period. Market-grade gas production was 9.24bcm (326.2 bcf), including 6.76 bcm in Russia (up 34.9% y-o-y) and 2.48 bcm at foreign operations (up 5.6%). The company’s oil refining at own facilities grew 8.2% to 32.41mn tons, including its share in the ISAB and TRN refineries. LUKoil’s Russia based refineries showed a 1.5% increase in production volumes and foreign facilities 26.1%. The company exported 20.4mn tons of crude and 12.9mn tons of refined products in the reporting period; its total sales grew 2.7%, to 76.8mn tons (564.5mn bbl).	X

	Legislative initiatives: August 20 – 27, 2010
	31-08-2010 MOSCOW. President Dmitry Medvedev instructed the government to work out proposals to develop the system of local governments. * The Federal Anti-trust Service proposed establishing a common system of exchange grain trade through launching round-the-clock trading. * Services conglomerate Sistema board chairman Vladimir Yevtushenkov and Anatoly Chubais, the head of state nanotechnologies corporation RusNano, proposed adopting a programme to regulate the country’s microelectronics sector. * The Natural Resources Ministry approved the structure of draft guidelines of Russia’s state environmental policy through 2030. * The bill expanding the powers of executive power bodies regarding emergency relief payments was submitted to the State Duma, the lower house of parliament. * Participants of a round table in the Federation Council, the upper house of parliament, decided that the law on police needs to be revised. They proposed that President Dmitry Medvedev hold a meeting of the State Council and that the Federation Council convene the Council of Legislators to discuss the issue. * The Natural Resources Ministry drafted measures to stimulate the exploration of Russia’s continental shelf. *** The State Duma may consider a government bill to simplify the licensing procedure in October 2010.	X

	M.video may acquire Ukrainian retailer Comfy
	31-08-2010 MOSCOW. Russian consumer electronic retail chain M.video is in talks to acquire Ukrainian electronic... YOU NEED A SUBSCRIPTION TO READ THIS ARTICLE	X

	Russia invites China to join three uranium projects
	31-08-2010 BEIJING. Russia has sent proposals to China to set up three joint ventures to mine uranium. Sergei ... YOU NEED A SUBSCRIPTION TO READ THIS ARTICLE	X

	Investors to withdraw $10bn from Russia in 2010
	31-08-2010 MOSCOW. Net capital outflow from Russia will be about $10bn in 2010, Deputy Economic Development Min... YOU NEED A SUBSCRIPTION TO READ THIS ARTICLE	X

	World Bank Group member to invest over $1bn in Russia
	31-08-2010 MOSCOW. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) will invest some $1.1bn-$1.2bn in Russian projec... YOU NEED A SUBSCRIPTION TO READ THIS ARTICLE	X

	Sibirtelecom’s IFRS net profit up almost 190% in 1h10
	31-08-2010 MOSCOW. Sibirtelecom, Siberia’s largest telecoms operator, posted a 187% increase in its net profi... YOU NEED A SUBSCRIPTION TO READ THIS ARTICLE	X

	National TV company to help Sistema build film studio
	31-08-2010 MOSCOW. VGTRK, Russia’s national TV and radio broadcasting company, has reached an agreement with ... YOU NEED A SUBSCRIPTION TO READ THIS ARTICLE	X

	$59mn to be invested in building four small hydropower plants in Karelia
	31-08-2010 PETROZAVODSK. An investment project to build four small hydroelectric power plants with a total capa... YOU NEED A SUBSCRIPTION TO READ THIS ARTICLE	X

	Cigarette filter plant in Pskov Region to be unveiled in 2011
	31-08-2010 PSKOV. A cigarette filter plant in the Pskov Region to be unveiled in 2011 will be a carbon copy of ... YOU NEED A SUBSCRIPTION TO READ THIS ARTICLE	X

	Finance ministry sees no need to review monetary policy
	30-08-2010 MOSCOW. Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin told the media when commenting on the country’s reviewed so... YOU NEED A SUBSCRIPTION TO READ THIS ARTICLE	X

	Russia remains competitive in military aircraft manufacturing and shipbuilding
	30-08-2010 MOSCOW. Russia’s military aircraft and naval ships are in great demand in the world, Prime Ministe... YOU NEED A SUBSCRIPTION TO READ THIS ARTICLE	X

	Government will continue to support Russian carmakers
	30-08-2010 MOSCOW. The government will encourage foreign automakers to localise production in Russia, including... YOU NEED A SUBSCRIPTION TO READ THIS ARTICLE	X

	FGC UES to provide electricity to Transneft’s projects
	30-08-2010 MOSCOW. Russian electric grid company FGC UES, the country’s largest hydroelectric power producer ... YOU NEED A SUBSCRIPTION TO READ THIS ARTICLE	X

	Kinross buys two Chukotka gold mines
	30-08-2010 MOSCOW. Canadian Kinross Gold Corp has closed a deal to buy 100% of shares of Aurelius Holdings Ltd,... YOU NEED A SUBSCRIPTION TO READ THIS ARTICLE	X

	Norilsk Nickel pays 2009 dividend
	30-08-2010 MOSCOW. Norilsk Nickel completed the payment of dividends in the amount approved by the Annual Gener... YOU NEED A SUBSCRIPTION TO READ THIS ARTICLE	X

	Kalina’s IFRS net profit up 5.3% in 1h10
	30-08-2010 MOSCOW. The net profit of one of Russia’s leading cosmetics producers, Kalina, calculated to Inter... YOU NEED A SUBSCRIPTION TO READ THIS ARTICLE	X

	Mechel, FGC UES, RusHydro reach deal to power Elga coal deposit development
	30-08-2010 MOSCOW. Russia's leading mining company Mechel, the country’s largest hydroelectric power producer... YOU NEED A SUBSCRIPTION TO READ THIS ARTICLE	X

	Town of Sokol to be modernised under investment plan
	30-08-2010 VOLOGDA. The administration of the northwest Russian Vologda Region has approved a modernisation pla... YOU NEED A SUBSCRIPTION TO READ THIS ARTICLE	X