Today in Russian Business – Jan 25, 2011

In a Washington Post video interview with Vlad Milev, the Metzler Payden analyst suggests that yesterday’s Moscow airport bombing should not affect investor confidence in the economy.  Central bank chairman Sergei Ignatyev has apparently also declared that the ruble will not be affected by events, although this report might suggest this to be wishful thinking.  RFE/RL wonders whether President Medvedev will be asked about the fate of Mikhail Khodorkovsky at the World Economic Forum’s ‘ask a leader’ section, which has apparently already drawn several online comments about the Yukos founder.  Andrei Klepach has reportedly warned the government that a budget deficit could be a long-term necessity if innovation and development are to take place in Russia’s economy.  Russia’s bank privatization drive will continue after 2015, says Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin.  The Investigative Committee has dropped its case against telecoms tycoon-in-exile Yevgeny Chichvarkin, who was charged with extortion and kidnapping.