Today in Russian Business – Jan 12, 2012

Under instructions from President Medvedev, First Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov will establish a working group to tackle money laundering aimed at hiding criminal income.  According to Central Bank preliminary data, Russia saw a total of $84.2 billion in net capital outflows in 2011.  It is not all bad news however: the FT reports that apparently Russian spending in the week leading up to the big New Year’s holiday was 16% higher this year than in 2010, as consumers splurged on the latest products.  Gazprom may spend up to $5.7 billion on the construction of sporting facilities and infrastructure for the Sochi Olympics, more than four times the original amount planned.  Chrysler Group is apparently keen to complete plans to build Jeep sport-utility vehicles in Russia in the first half of this year.  Avtovaz share prices have surged after Carlos Ghosn, chief executive officer of Nissan Motor and Renault, said the two carmakers and its Russian partner increased their combined vehicle sales by 10% last year taking the automaker to a record high.  Tank-maker Uralvagonzavod generated most of its profit from railcars last year, says Bloomberg.  Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin champions Russia’s domestic weapons industry.  An outbreak of African swine fever at a farm in southern Russia has prompted the slaughter of around half of the pigs.  The Moscow Times examines the evolving role of the ‘government relations professional’.