Today in Russian Business – Jan 19, 2012

The health inspector’s summation that Ukrainian cheese has seen ‘a marked deterioration’ was ‘predictable’, says RFE/RL, noting the current arguments between Ukraine and Russia over energy contracts.  German Gref, the head of Sberbank, says more needs to be done to preserve liquidity in Russia’s financial sector, where funding is suffering from a ‘general problem’.  VTB’s international rise ‘has defied international trends’ – the Moscow Times looks at why.  A new lobby group – the National Payment Council – has been established to address new government regulations planned for the electronic payments market.  The closing statements of the Abramovich-Berezovsky case in London yesterday were fraught with accusations.  Reuters reports on why the case is doomed to fail.  Polymetal is anticipating a 4-million-ounce rise in gold output this year; gold miner Yuzhuralzoloto is reinstating its plan for a 25% share placement on the London Stock Exchange this spring.  Russian Helicopters has received $160 million from the government for the development of drones.  Russia has banned imports of sheep and goat meat from the Netherlands, following an outbreak of the Schmallenberg virus.