Today in Russian Business

NYMEX could ultimately be crossed off the list of international oil exchange arrangers in St. Petersburg, following a meeting convened by Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov, which focused on creating an oil exchange fully owned by Russia. The head of Russia’s largest lender Sberbank said it had raised its net profit by 34% to $790.3 million in January-February 2008. Russia’s largest rail container operator, Transcontainer, placed in full its debut five-year bond worth $124.8 million. Russian Technologies chief Sergei Chemezov has come into conflict with First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov over the state corporation’s plans to incorporate the government’s defense-industry assets. Russia plans to sell up 100 passenger jets to Iran in what would be the largest deal of its kind for Russia’s aviation industry.