Russia: data retention laws to help industry develop

Implementation of Russia’s controversial package of anti-terrorism laws, obliging telecom and Internet operators to store metadata, content of users’ talks and correspondence, will give an additional impetus for development of the domestic industry, Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said. “I positively see (the laws), because we will have a stimulus to develop our industries…

Azerbaijan invites Iranian businessmen for active co-op

Azerbaijan invites Iranian entrepreneurs to actively cooperate with local businessmen, said Azerbaijan’s Deputy Economy Minister Sahib Mammadov. Mammadov made the remarks during the Azerbaijani-Iranian business meeting in Baku. The meeting, organized by Azerbaijan Export and Investments Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO), was attended by more than 80 local and Iranian businessmen. Azerbaijani deputy minister said that Azerbaijan…

Russia: 2016 GDP decline outlook worsened

Russia’s Economic Development Ministry has worsened its forecast for Russia’s gross domestic product (GDP) decline in 2016 to 0.5-0.6% from 0.2%, Minister Alexei Ulyukayev said. The ministry’s basic forecast earlier implied a 0.2% GDP fall in 2016 with an annual average oil price of $40 per barrel. (Prime/Business World Magazine)

Russia: 19.5% of Rosneft to be sold this year

There is a chance to privatize Russian oil major Rosneft by the end of the year, presidential aide Andrei Belousov reported. “In accordance with the schedule we should have time to do this”, he said. Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev said in late August that the government might have no time to privatize 19.5% in…