Today in Russian Business

Foreign direct investment into Russia this year could exceed last year’s figure of $28 billion. The Federal Customs Service has decided not to close its Baltic and Vladivostok ports to meat imports. The closure would have forced meat prices up 5-7% and threatened the businesses of N-Trans and National Container. The leading independent director at Norilsk Nickel, the £30 billion mining giant, has urged shareholders to vote against a proposed boardroom shake-up that would see a new group of directors elected. Pepsi Bottling Group and PepsiCo have agreed to acquire Sobol-Aqua JSC, a privately held Russian bottling company. Capital International has bought a stake in Unimilk, Russia’s second-biggest dairy company, to benefit from surging demand for milk and baby food. Sistema, Russian billionaire Vladimir Yevtushenkov’s holding company, sold Sahles, the majority owner of Perm Motors Plant, to state-run defense company Oboronprom Corp for $190 million. Oriola-KD said it will expand into Russia after agreeing to acquire 75% stakes in Vitim & Co, and Moron Ltd, both Moscow-based pharmaceuticals companies.