Today in Russian Business – September 28, 2009

Ria-Novosti reports that first deputy prime minister Igor Shuvalov believes the path towards a customs union with Belarus and Kazakhstan is clear.  Bank of America Corp. has increased Russia’s economic growth forecast for 2010 to 3.9% from 2.4%.  Citigroup Inc. estimates that Russia’s economy will grow faster than previously estimated, according to Bloomberg.  Arabtec Holding has started foundation-test work on the Gazprom tower.  Sberbank may sell its stake in Opel to VEB, if a sale to GAZ Group falls through, Reuters reports.  President Medvedev has told German Chancellor Angela Merkel that he is willing to provide state guarantees for Opel investments in Russia.  A possible windfall for Avtovaz: the company may be assembling Nissan cars by 2012.  The Telegraph reports on tough times for the Lada.  The Times reports that Yelena Baturina, Russia’s wealthiest woman, has bought London’s biggest private residence for approximately $50 million.  Oleg Deripaska’s Rusal is this week expected to approve a flotation valuing it at $30 billion, one of the biggest floats of the year.  Mikhail Prokhorov has settled his court case with the Moscow Times.