The Voronezh-based aircraft manufacturer VASO has launched production of an An-148 regional medium-haul plane, the United Aircraft Corporation chief executive said.

Russia's leading mineral fertilizer producer Akron said it had paid about $60 million for 98% in Canada's 101109718 Saskatchewan Ltd., which owns the rights to vast potassium salt deposits.

Russia's nuclear industry is open to both domestic and foreign investors, a Russian deputy prime minister told an international nuclear forum.

The mergers and acquisition market in the oil and gas sector in Russia and former Soviet republics grew 19%, year-on-year, in 2007 to $35.7 billion, international auditor PriceWaterhouseCoopers said.

Vladimir Putin wants Russia to increase its energy efficiency by at least 40% by the year 2020.

Russia’s bid to join the World Trade Organisation could hinge on its policies on farming.