The chairman of the Russia-Vietnam Business Council says that Russian private firms have begun looking at investment opportunities in Vietnam. Russia’s investment banks are launching online brokerages to encourage investment. “Although Russia in the aggregate may not appear as the cheapest market in global emerging markets because of energy, valuations in most other sectors are very attractive,” said one analyst, supporting the increasingly popular view that the Russian market will remain strong for 2008. Business According to the Economics Ministry, foreign investment in car production in Russia will exceed $1.8 billion in 2007. PHOTO: Fireworks explode above Federation Tower in the city’s business district as Moscow celebrates New Year’s Day January 1, 2008. REUTERS/Thomas Peter (RUSSIA)