Today in Russian Business – Aug 31, 2011

The Libyan National Transitional Council is inspecting former contracts with Russia for transparency: ‘The issue of a return to work for Russian companies in Libya is still being considered.’  Rail freight operator Proftrans has been acquired by Brunswick Rail for an undisclosed sum.  Russia is currently working on a rail line near Songbon as part of heavy investment into North Korean infrastructure - part of a bid to gain access to its two key ports, one of which it has reportedly already leased.  ‘The problems [with institutions like Bank of Moscow] are generated at the interface between what’s good banking and what’s politically expedient.’  In response to news of the Exxon-Rosneft tie-up, Reuters has compiled a list of key events of foreign direct investment into Russia since 1990.