Today in Russian Business

The government wants foreign investors to seek its permission for buying control of mobile and landline communications companies, a measure that could hamper growth in the booming sector. At the latest government meeting, Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov “lashed out” at UES’ CEO Anatoly Chubais, and ordered the toughening of state control, ranging from the introduction of export duties on fertilizers to control over food prices. Russia is forecast to be Europe’s biggest car market in four years. The prediction, from Ernst & Young, comes after car sales soared 57% last year to more than $50 billion. Russian Railways, or RZD, is considering buying a controlling stake in power generation company TGK-14 jointly with ESN-Energo.