Today in Russian Business – March 8, 2010

Read a profile piece on Alexander Lebedev, the billionaire and entrepreneur currently in the final stages of acquiring British newspaper The Independent: ‘Is he the Kremlin’s Trojan horse or is he driven, as he says, by “civic responsibility” and “duty”?‘  The BBC reports on efforts to save Russia’s car industry, including car scrapping schemes, and the factors hindering growth, such as ‘the misuse of budget funds‘.  Russia has agreed with the US that the latter will resume its pork supplies to the Russian market, after a new veterinary certificate on antibiotic levels was developed.  Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has signed a resolution granting 20-30% retail discounts on fuel supplies to agricultural producers.  A new survey shows that deal makers in Russia have a positive outlook on the mergers and acquisitions industry for 2010.