Today in Russian Business – April 5, 2011

According to an unidentified director of a Russia-based multinational: ‘It seems that the whole generation of 25- to 45-year-old Russians is actively thinking about running away, especially considering the prospect of seeing the same people in power for another 12 years, starting 2012.‘  Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov says that there will be no real Russian-U.S. reset without strong economic links.  The PhosAgro fortune of Vladimir Litvinenko is ‘raising eyebrows‘ due to his ties to the Prime Minister and lack of business experience.  Vladimir Putin’s vague hint that teaching salaries ‘might grow‘ at some point ‘in the near future‘ looks like an attention-grabbing pre-election move, as does his suggestion for officials to regularly declare their expenses.  Rostelecom is planning a technical share listing on an overseas market by the end of the year.  The services sector is failing to build growth momentum this year.  This report looks at the ways in which China will support and benefit from Russian plans to develop its Far East infrastructure and natural resources.  Norilsk Nickel has announced a share buyback for up to $1.2 billion on the open market, part of a larger program approved last year.  Rusagro’s upcoming IPO is already fully-subscribed.