Today in Russian Business – Feb 1, 2012

Is the reset doing its job?  A U.S. government agency says it has seen increased demand for assistance by companies wishing to enter Russia in the past year.  The Investigative Committee are scrutinising tour operator Lanta-Tur Voyage amid claims that it deliberately failed to pay for hotels and flights for its clients.  Russia’s first dozens of electric cars have hit the roads.  Vladimir Putin will have no trouble winning the elections, but without major budget consolidation, he may have a fiscal crisis on his hands once back in office.  The FT suggests that healthy 2011 GDP growth should be celebrated with caution.  Against a backdrop of growing imports, Vladimir Putin is calling for incentives to boost the dairy sector.  Food safety and sanitary watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor has imposed a temporary ban on E.U. cattle imports, as a precautionary measure against the Schmallenberg virus.  Cherkizovo, the meat producer, says poultry sales rose by 34% last year.  Accession to the World Trade Organisation could see Russia tripling pork imports.