Today in Russian Business – May 28, 2010

The Moscow Times reports on what some of Russia’s richest business people think about inheritance.  Central Bank Chairman Sergei Ignatyev is apparently confident that the ruble and the economy should make it through the eurozone crisis relatively unscathed.  Russian lenders say plans to withdraw emergency liquidity this year may hinder credit and prove an obstacle to government efforts to push banks into increased lending.  Bank lending is still at a ‘low‘ level even after a more buoyant March and April.  Russia and Finland have agreed to extend a lease on the Saimaa Canal for another fifty years.  Meanwhile Finnish engineer Wartsila is planning a joint venture with Russia’s Transmashholding to build diesel train engines in Russia.  Russia may allow for the resumption of US poultry exports in a month.  The home improvement retail giant Kingfisher is planning a major expansion in Russia.  As negotiations with steelmakers continue, car firms have apparently agreed to a slight increase in the price of the commodity.  Mikhail Prokhorov has said that he is not interested in acquiring a stake in potash miner Uralkali. The company’s owner has valued the firm at $10 billion.  Putin-irritating businessman Telman Ismailov will invest $800 million in two Sochi hotels.