Today in Russian Business – Feb 28, 2011

Gold and silver miner Polymetal has secured approval for a restructuring plan which would move it a step closer in its aim to list in London.  The Telegraph has an interview with the company’s CEO Mikhail Prokhorov.  As soon as it joins the WTO, which could be by the end of the year, Russia will reportedly cut tariffs on timber sales to the European Union by two thirds.  As food prices rise, the possibility of protests is increasing, says a new poll, quoted by the Moscow Times.  Skolkovo Foundation President Viktor Vekselberg has announced that the budget for the innovation project in 2011 will be $750 million.  Interest rates for mortgage borrowers in Russia will apparently not fall any further after the central bank decided on Friday to hike all of its key rates.  Russia’s Sual partners might sell their 15.8% stake in Oleg Deripaska’s aluminum firm RUSAL, says Reuters.  Are migrants the answer to Russia’s economic and demographic woes?  Exiled businessman Boris Berezovsky has denied reports that he was a victim of radiation poisoning, after being hit by a mystery illness.