Today in Russian Business – Jan 13, 2010

Bloomberg reports that Russia has been deemed the 10th-riskiest country for investors out of 196, sliding from 15th last year, in U.K risk-assessment company Maplecroft’s annual Political Risk Atlas.  A new Kremlin decree preventing foreigners from purchasing land near federal borders will not harm foreign investment into the country, analysts say.  The Telegraph examines how Russia is managing to retain the independence of its internet services against Western competitors.  At a meeting of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions, Prime Minister Putin has urged trade unions to be more active in defending the rights of employees.  Siberian coking coal and pig iron producer Koks is reportedly looking for $600 million in a London IPO.  According to the Moscow Times, two of Russia’s major telecommunications providers, Mobile TeleSystems and VimpelCom, are considering acquiring St. Petersburg-based operator Eltel.  A rise in phone sales was noted in 2010.