Today in Russian Business – May 3, 2011

Average monthly salaries of 20,383 roubles ($743) make loans for cars, apartments and refrigerators popular in Russia, says a Mail.ru study.  Phosagro is planning to raise $500 million with a London IPO next month; Rostelecom is planning to list 25% of its shares on an overseas stock exchange, most likely London.  For the 14th year running, Russia has topped a U.S. list of the worst pirates; the Trade Representative’s office blasts Russia for its poor record of preventing copyright theft.  Manufacturing growth has slowed to its lowest level since November: ‘A decline in new export orders is worrisome as it usually points to the direction of change in overall manufacturing growth momentum in the coming months.‘  Three Russian combat helicopters will be sent to Peru next week apparently to aid in military operations against drugs trafficking and terrorism.