Today in Russian Business – April 15, 2009

The Moscow Times reports that Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin will contemplate issuing debt abroad for the first time in ten years.  Russia may borrow $5 billion next year in the government’s first global bond sale since 1998.  Basic Element owner Oleg Deripaska seeks to prolong the repayment period of the company’s debts, for two to five more years.  Yulia Latynina comments upon Oleg Deripaska’s debt-management strategy and that of other indebted Russia giants in the Moscow Times.   Freight rail operator Globaltrans posted a 5% increase in net profit in 2008, although expenditure will remain flat due to the downturn.  The RTS exchange says it will begin trading in platinum and palladium futures contracts.  As supply of timber from Russia is ‘unreliable‘, Japan will buy increasingly from elsewhere.  Black Earth Farming Ltd., which owns agricultural land in Russia, may report profits in 2010 as their farms mature.  South Korean company Hyundai Heavy Industries plans to lease 50,000 hectares of farmland in Russia.  Unilever intends to buy Baltimor-holding, Russia’s largest ketchup maker.  Plans for a joint freight project to increase trade between Russia and Finland have been announced.