Today in Russian Business – July 14, 2010

Russia’s public-health chief, Gennady Onishchenko, has suggested that companies introduce a siesta regime for workers who are exhausted by the record heat wave.  The government is attempting to discourage cattle breeders from slaughtering their livestock as the drought endangers feed supplies.  The Moscow Times reports on a new survey which suggests that state regulators are increasingly obstructing the work of businesses despite attempts from Dmitry Medvedev to reduce bureaucratic hurdles.  Russia and China are apparently planning to jointly design and manufacture a new heavy-lift helicopter.  Prime Minister Putin has warned carmaker Avtovaz, which is now turning over a profit, that the cash-for-clunkers scheme does not substitute necessary reforms.  Siemens looks set to receive a $2.8 billion order from Russia for 240 regional trains as part of Putin’s infrastructure improvement plans.  Africa’s number one media group Naspers is planning to purchase more than a quarter of Internet firm Digital Sky Technologies in cash and shares as it bulks up its Internet unit.  Russia is apparently still discussing the idea of taking a stake in German chipmaker Infineon with the German government.