Two of Russia's largest pharmaceuticals distributors may be sold before the end of the year. The deal to sell Russia's second-largest distributor SIA International to the American company TPG Capital may be announced in the third week of November.

Russia's state-run foreign trade bank VTB said it had signed an agreement with Japanese banks on a $175 mln loan to finance the construction of a new international airport terminal in Moscow.

The Free Deed Foundation is preparing to conclude an agreement worth approximately $200 million with the Taiwanese Asustek Computer Co. on the purchase of a million laptop computers. Basic Element spokesmen explained that the computers will be used in Russian schools.

Russian Minister of Economic Development and Trade Elvira Nabiullina has promised to eliminate the 10-percent duty on imported computer parts. That became known during the signing of an agreement between St. Petersburg Governor Valentina Matvienko and head of the Taiwanese company Foxconn Terry Gou.

Russia’s automobile giant AvtoVAZ and FIAT Consortium will seal today a strategic partnership memorandum and may ink an agreement in a few months. FIAT is more willing to make concessions than Renault; for this automobile blockbuster to conquer aftereffects of the recent crisis is vital.

Hyundai Motor is considering building a car manufacturing plant in Russia for about $400 million to expand its presence in the country's booming auto market, a Hyundai official said.