Today in Russian Business – June 6, 2011

The Russia-led Eurasian economic community has approved a $3 billion bailout loan to indebted neighbor Belarus.  The country’s Finance Minister Andrei Kharkovets has apparently said he hopes that the Russian loan would facilitate a deal with the IMF.  Russia is making its first move into the world of Islamic finance with a plan to issue sukuk, Islamic bonds which comply with Muslim religious rules, in an attempt to attract Arab capital.  The Moscow Times has an interview with Russian Railways chief Vladimir Yakunin on his plans for one of the world’s largest transportation systems. Billionaire Vasily Anisimov, co-owner of metals producer Metalloinvest, intends to sell his real estate holdings for as much as $4.7 billion, says Bloomberg.  Reuters has a factbox on Russian IPOs.  Russia’s Global Ports is one company hoping to gain from the privatization surge, apparently seeking more than $100 million from a London listing.