Today in Russian Business – Feb 20th, 2009

Vladimir Yakunin, the boss of Russian Railways, has criticized Russia’s Central Bank for not holding back Russian’s firms from taking on excessive foreign debt.  Click here for the report and video of the interview with the BBC.  The Economist notes Russia’s belated efforts to be candid about the economic crisis. As part of a long-term plan to stimulate development in Russia’s Far Eastern regions, the government will subsidize the cost of plane tickets for young people and pensioners crossing the country.  Is the sudden mild revival in the demand for Russian steel merely a reflection of dwindling stockpiles?  Russia has discussed the possible supply of up to 1 million tons of grain to Brazil this season, after Argentina’s crop yielded just half of its expected volume.