Today in Russian Business – May 9, 2008

Vladimir Putin has predicted that Russia’ economy will be larger than Britain’s by the end of this year, and promised to rein in inflation in his new role as Prime Minister. Roman Abramovich has bought a $36.3 million Colorado ranch. The European Commission says that a Russian ban on imported meat from large companies in seven EU countries is “disproportionate” and should be removed. Oleg Deripaska is considering a Basic Element bid for the Udokan deposit, a huge Siberian copper field “that could pitch him into competition or partnership with the state railway monopoly and mining giant Norilsk Nickel”.