RUSSIA TURKMENISTAN UZBEKISTAN
Transcription
RUSSIA TURKMENISTAN UZBEKISTAN
ECONOMIC NEWSLETTER Number 02.1, February’12 RUSSIA TURKMENISTAN UZBEKISTAN Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Economic and Commercial Section Kalashny pereulok 6 115127 Moscow, Russia Tel. + 7 495 797 2922 Fax + 7 495 797 2907 E-mail: [email protected] http://www.netherlands-embassy.ru/economy Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Moscow publishes twice a month economic newsletter. The newsletter offers an overview of Russian economic news, news of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan of the previous month. The Embassy intends to distribute this newsletter as widely as possible among Dutch institutions, companies and persons via or from The Netherlands. Those interested in receiving it are requested to contact the Embassy via phone/ fax or e-mail. The newsletter is distributed by e-mail. The newsletter summarises economic news from various publications and aims at collecting as accurate data as possible. The Embassy cannot be held responsible for any mistakes or omissions in the information sheets provided. MACRO-ECONOMICS AND ECONOMIC POLICY Putin promises bright future to investors PM Putin spoke about perspectives of the global and Russian economy at the conference 'Russia-2012'. The global economy will change significantly within the next decade and Russia has a good potential to become one of the leaders of global economic development. In order to achieve this goal Russia needs to modernize its economy and improve the investment climate. Russia is one of the top five countries with the highest potential to attract foreign investment, but the country is ranked at only 120th place for doing business. Russia will get into the first 20 places in the Doing Business ranking within the next few years, Putin promised. The timeline for connecting to electricity grid will be cut by four times, the costs of tax accounting will be reduced by three times, the timeline for receiving a construction permit – by five times and the timeline for crossing a border by truck – by seven times. Putin also promised to establish the post of ombudsman for the protection of the rights of entrepreneurs. *** Russian state companies to increase spending on innovation 60% in 2013 This year, Russian state-owned companies will spend RUR950bn ($31.3bn, or €23.8bn) on innovation; in 2013, this sum will reach RUR1.5tn ($49.4bn, or €37.5bn). *** Unemployment in Russia totals 6.3% of workforce in January The number of unemployed in Russia in January 2012 totalled 6.3% of the workforce, Healthcare and Social Development Minister Tatyana Golikova said.The figure has decreased 33% from the peak of the crisis seen in January-February 2009, she said. *** Government reserves $363mn for young doctors support programme The Russian Federal Mandatory Medical Insurance Fund has reserved RUR11bn ($363mn, or €275mn) for a programme of support to young doctors who decide to go working in rural areas, Healthcare and Social Development Minister Tatyana Golikova said. She recalled the terms of joining the programme: a qualified doctor aged under 35 years will receive a resettlement grant of RUR1mn ($33,000, or €25,000) if he or she goes working in a rural area. The doctors are expected to stay in the area for five years; if they decide to leave earlier, they will have to repay part of the sum depending on how much time they have worked there. *** Trade surplus growth Russia's trade surplus grew by about 25% to $210.7 billion last year, with exports growing to $516 billion from $397 billion a year earlier, while imports increased to $305.3 billion from $228.9 billion, according to the Federal Customs Service. *** Transportation scheme devised to connect Spartak, Dynamo, CSKA stadiums in Moscow The Moscow authorities plan to connect the Spartak and CSKA stadiums, which are being built in the northwest and north of the capital, and the Dynamo stadium in Leningradsky Prospekt, which is undergoing reconstruction, in a single transportation scheme. The scheme may be needed to organise traffic during the FIFA World Cup that Moscow will host in 2018. *** Kaluga region reports highest consolidated budget revenue growth in central Russia In 2011, consolidated budget revenue in the Kaluga Region located 100 km (62 miles) southwest of Moscow increased by over RUR2.7bn ($91mn, or €68.5mn) from 2010, when the region demonstrated its best performance ever thanks to proactive investment development. Last year, income tax revenue rose by more than 13%, which is the best result in the Central Federal District. 2 LAWS AND REGULATIONS Russia suspends livestock imports from several European countries Russia will suspend imports of livestock from a number of European countries because of an outbreak of the Schmallenberg virus starting from 1 February 2012. The Russian veterinary and phytosanitary watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor said in a statement on Tuesday that temporary restrictions would be imposed on the imports of cattle and its genetic material from Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and France and those of sheep and goats and their genetic material from France. Rosselkhoznadzor also confirmed its earlier ban on imports of cattle, sheep and goats from the United Kingdom and imposed temporary restrictions on imports of genetic material of these animals from the United Kingdom. *** Russia bans import of some Ukrainian cheeses On February 7, the Russian consumer rights authority banned the import of cheese from several Ukrainian suppliers who have taken a non-constructive stand regarding the dispute over the quality of their output, Russian chief sanitary inspector Gennady Onishchenko said. The more samples of Ukrainian cheese are examined, the more “negative findings” are reported, the official said. ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES Government expands its role in electricity sector FAS (Federal Anti-monopoly Service) has approved a planned purchase by the state-owned electricity corporation RAO UES of the private electricity-generation firm Bashkirenergo owned by AFK Systema. Experts warn about the actual revision of the reform in the power sector. The state is regaining lost ground in the sector. As a result of its recent acquisitions in the sector, RAO UES now controls 23 gigawatts of power in the country (plus 6 gigawatts abroad). Gazprom controls 38 gigawatts of power in Russia. *** Generating company TGC-14 invests over $22mn in trans-Baikal heat system In 2011, territorial generating company TGC-14 invested RUR681mn ($22.5mn, or €17.2mn) in heat supply in the Trans-Baikal Territory. The figure was announced at a meeting held to discuss the performance of the territory’s construction industry last year. Investment in construction went up 15.6%, while prices of real estate grew 10% on average, said Vasily Borodin, the regional minister of territorial development. To date, TGC-14 is 83.62% owned by Energopromsbyt, a consortium of Russian Railways and energy investment company ESN Group. *** Gazprom' s gas supplies to Europe normalizing According to the European Commission, after a short reduction of gas supply to Europe, the situation with Russian gas supplies to Slovakia, Austria, Hungary, Poland and Greece is now back to normal. Gas supplies to Germany and Italy are on the rise but the situation in these countries remains difficult. Gazprom says that, because of the cold weather in Europe, European countries are asking for more gas than envisaged by their contracts with Gazprom. *** Siemens, Transneft establish strategic partnership Russian oil pipeline operator Transneft and Germany’s Siemens signed a one-year extendable strategic partnership deal. The agreement was signed in Moscow on Tuesday by Transneft President Nikolai Tokarev and Dr Dietrich Moeller, president of Siemens Russia and Central Asia. The document outlines three priority areas for cooperation including modernisation, development and optimisation of 3 synchronous and induction motor systems; supply and maintenance of energy equipment; and automation and safety of technological processes and process management systems. INDUSTRY AND SERVICES Engineering competence centre to be set up in Sverdlovsk region A concept of a mechanical engineering competence centre will be worked out in the Sverdlovsk Region in the Urals by the end of March. The centre’s key tasks are to seek partners to organise joint machine tool production lines in the Urals, promote communication between participants, and create a pool of potential domestic and foreign investors to implement regional industry programmes. *** Swedish company plans to locate joint venture in Voronezh Stockholm-headquartered global industrial group Atlas Copco, specialising in the manufacturing of drilling equipment, plans to locate its joint venture with mining machinery producer Rudgormash at the company’s site in the city of Voronezh in southwest Russia. Atlas Copco’s management decided to expand its construction equipment production business in Russia, and the company’s representatives visited Rudgormash to consider possible cooperation. *** Lanta Tur’s debt totals $40mn The total debt that the ailing tour operator Lanta Tur owes to its partners and clients is estimated at $40mn, or 10% of the company’s turnover. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin earlier suggested that state-controlled Bank VTB could provide funds to restore Lanta Tur’s cash flows after it defaulted on its loans. Dmitry Yanin, chairman of the International Confederation of Consumer Societies in Moscow, believes the bank is likely to take over Lanta Tur’s business after helping it repay its loans. Lanta Tur, Russia’s oldest travel operator, halted operations last weekend leaving thousands of clients stranded abroad. *** Housing construction in Russia grows 6.6% in 2011 The amount of new housing turned over to tenants in Russia in 2011 reached 62.3mn sq m, up 6.6% from 58.4mn sq m in 2010, the federal statistics service reported. In 2010, housing construction fell 2.4% against 2009. *** Russian gold mining up 4.7% in 2011 Last year, Russian gold refineries produced 212.122 metric tons of gold from the ore supplied by miners, by-products supplied by non-ferrous smelters and scrap. It is 4.7% more compared to 2010, the Russian Gold Producers Union said in a statement. Gold mining grew 5% to 185.3 tons, ancillary mining 13.2% to 14.35 tons and secondary production from scrap and waste, 25.9% to 9.334 tons. *** Honda Motors Rus may build assembly plant in Tver region The possibility of building a Honda assembly plant in the central Russian region was discussed at a meeting between Tver Governor Andrei Shevelyov and Honda managers. *** Over $33mn invested in Krasnodar industry in 2011 Industrial enterprises of the city of Krasnodar in southern Russia invested over RUR1bn ($33.2mn, or €25.3mn) in production development and upgrade in 2011. A RUR260mn ($8.6mn, or €6.6mn) investment project to introduce new technology and upgrade production lines was implemented at the Saturn producer of solar arrays and storage batteries. Elektrosevkavmontazh, a company that builds energy facilities and installs power equipment, launched a RUR700mn ($23.3mn, or €17.8mn) hot dip galvanising line with an annual capacity of 5,000 metric tons. A metal structures plant was also commissioned in Krasnodar. Russian Mining and Metallurgical Company invested over RUR2bn ($66.4mn, or €50.7mn) in the project. 4 *** Minpromtorg proposes new barriers for imported used cars The Ministry of Industry and Trade (Minpromtorg) in a report on domestic industry support after Russia's WTO accession proposes to introduce a tax on scrapping automobiles, and to replace the transport tax with an ecological tax. The Ministry also proposes to forbid the use of commercial vehicles, which are older than 15 years, and to subsidise from the federal budget up to 70% of the price of buses purchased by municipalities. Experts say the proposed measures are unfavourable for imported used cars. *** Privatization of Novorossiysk port Deputy PM Sechin asked the government to sell its stake in Novorossiysk Sea Port directly to state-owned oil company Rosneft, bypassing the normal privatization procedures. In a letter to PM Putin, Sechin argued that a 25% blocking stake in the port should be transferred directly to Rosneft rather than auctioned off because of the port's "strategic significance". *** Oskol steel plant invests $12mn in environmental protection in 2011 Oskol Electrometallurgical Plant, a unit of Metalloinvest based in the southwest Russian Belgorod Region, invested over RUR360mn ($12mn, or €9.1mn) in environmental protection measures in 2011. The plant has started building a closed-loop recirculation system, is modernising its gas purification facilities to cut dust emission, has improved the treatment of effluent water and recirculation systems, and also planted more trees and bushes. AGRICULTURE Basic Element reorganises agricultural business in Mordovia The Federal Antitrust Service (FAS) has satisfied the request of Agro Kuban Resource, a unit of Kuban Agroholding of Oleg Deripaska’s investment vehicle Basic Element (BasEl), for the right to control two agricultural assets in Mordovia – VKM-Selkhozprodukt and VKM-Agro. BasEl explained the decision by the establishment of a new agrarian division in Mordovia, a republic in central European Russia. Its immediate plans stipulate tripling the cultivated area to 30,000 ha (74,074 acres) and developing beef cattle breeding. *** Modernisation of bread baking plant completed in Altai A modernised bread baking plant has started operation in Aleysk, a city in the Altai Territory in southwest Siberia. The facility was modernised by its new owner in the framework of a RUR80mn ($2.6mn, or €2mn) investment project. The plant has been equipped with energy efficient German equipment and is to produce 20 bread products. *** Administration of Orel region approves meat processing programme The administration of the central Russian Orel Region has approved a meat processing programme for the region’s Pork Cluster in 2012-2014. Its financing will total RUR4.89bn ($160.9mn, or €122.3mn). The facilities to be built under the programme will be included in relevant investment plans for electricity, water and gas supply and road network development. The programme’s implementation is expected to increase pork production in the region to 51,000 metric tons by the end of 2014. *** North Korea interested in importing foods from Omsk region A business delegation from North Korea met with colleagues from the Omsk Region’s business incubator. The North Koreans said their goal is to establish partner relations with the southwest Siberian region with a view to importing locally produced foodstuffs. The North Korean company is ready to provide floor space to sell foodstuffs from the Omsk Region in one of the country’s largest supermarkets. 5 *** Food security website The Ministry of Agriculture has allocated RUR100m on the development of a unified information system on food security in Russia in the Internet. The system will contain information on crop and grain production forecasts, on demand for food in all the Russian regions, and the country's food balance sheets. *** Turkey farm to be built in Voronezh region There are plans to build a turkey farm in the Ramon District of the southwest Russian Voronezh Region. Overall investment will total RUR1.6bn ($53.2mn, or €40.6mn). The project is to be implemented in 2012-2021. DATA USD/ROUBLE EUR/ROUBLE 30.09 39.46 *** Russian market moves up The MICEX index grew by 25.33 points (1.67%) against the previous closing, settling at 1539.36 points. The RTS index was up 22.27 points (1.41%) to 1599.56 points. Turnover on the MICEX-RTS as of 6.45 p.m. Moscow time was RUR60.8bn. As many as 62% of stocks traded on the main floor posted gains and 35% losses. The growth was led by WGC-1 (up 7.76%), Seligdar (up 7.57%), WGC-2 (up 6.68%), VTGK (TGC-7, up 6.43%) and FGC UES (up 5.7%). Kamaz fell 3.55%, Irkutskenergo 2.27%, IDGC of the Urals 2.14% and WGC-31.54%. 6 TURKMENISTAN: NEWS Turkmenistan increases oil and gas production In the first month of 2012, the production of oil and gas condensate in Turkmenistan amounted to 114.4 percent and production of natural gas totaled 118.2 percent compared to January last year. At the same time, exports of natural gas increased by 28.5 percent. *** New village to appear in Akhal province of Turkmenistan in four years A new, modern village will be erected in the territory of Yasmansalyk gengeshlik of Rukhabat district of Akhal province of Turkmenistan. In accordance with the Master Plan, the new village will occupy 400 hectares in the northern part of the Karakum River. *** President sharply criticizes quality of construction of houses in Ashgabat During his inspection tour of the capital city, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed dissatisfaction with the work of Deputy Prime Minister Deryageldy Orazov and Governor of Ashgabat Shamuhammet Durdylyev. The head of state said they pay insufficient attention to social facilities being erected in the city. *** Construction of new water reservoir begins in northern region of Turkmenistan Construction of a new water reservoir kicked off in Kunya Urgench district of Dashoguz province of Turkmenistan. This facility is expected to contribute to the further improvement of water supply to the population and planted areas in the region *** Turkmenistan to start work for improving energy efficiency in residential buildings In the next five years Turkmenistan will focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions by improving energy management and reducing energy consumption in the residential sector. This work will be supported by the United Nations Development Programme and the Global Environment Facility as part of the joint project “Improving Energy Efficiency in Residential Buildings of Turkmenistan” until 2015 7 EXHIBITIONS / SEMINARS / EVENTS (MOSCOW / MOSCOW REGION) 23.02- 26.02.2012 DOMEXPO - 2012 26th International Exhibition of Russian and Foreign Real Estate 28.02- 02.03.2012 "APPAREL TEXTILE SALON - 2012" within "TEXTILLEGPROM" International Salon of Fabrics and Accessories for Garment Production Federal wholesale fair 28.02- 02.03.2012 "HOME TEXTILE SALON - 2012" within Federal wholesale fair "TEXTILLEGPROM" International Salon of Decorative Fabrics, Home Textiles and Interior Furnishings 28.02 02.03.2012 CJF - CHILDREN'S FASHION - 2012 International Exhibition "Children's and Youth's Fashion. Clothes for Expectant Mothers" 28.02- 01.03.2012 COATINGS AND SURFACE TREATMENT - 2012 9th International Specialized Exhibition and Conference 12.03- 15.03.2012 GARDENTOOL - 2012 6th International Specialized Exhibition of Tools for Gardens and Parks 12.03- 15.03.2012 MATTEX - 2012 International Specialized Exhibition of Equipment for Heating, Water, Gas Supply and Canalization 12.03- 14.03.2012 INLEGMASH - 2012 13th International Exhibition "Equipment and Production Processes in Light Industry" 12.03- 15.03.2012 INTERLAKOKRASKA - 2012 16th International Specialized Exhibition of Varnishes and Paints, 6th International Salon "Surface Treatment. Corrosion Protection", Conference, Contest 12.03- 15.03.2012 WORLD OF CLIMATE - 2012 8th International Specialized Exhibition of Climate Equipment 13.03- 16.03.2012 DAIRY AND MEAT INDUSTRY - 2012 International Exhibition 14.03- 16.03.2012 INTERNATIONAL FAST FOOD FAIR (IFFF) - 2012 International Exhibition of Food, Beverages and Equipment for the Fast Food Industry 14.03- 16.03.2012 CHILDHOOD - 2012 International Specialized Exhibition of Children's Goods 19.03- 22.03.2012 HOUSEWARE EXPO / TABLEWARE. HOUSEHOLD GOODS. HOUSEWARES. SPRING 2012 International Specialized Exhibition of Utensils, Household Goods, Housewares, Interior Items 8 20.03- 25.03.2012 MOSCOW BOAT SHOW - 2012 5th International Exhibition of Boats and Yachts 21.03–24.03.2012 19TH MOSCOW INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION TRAVEL & TOURISM Moscow, Expocentre MITT is Russia’s leading and largest travel exhibition. With over 3,000 participating companies and 185 destinations, it is the key meeting place for the industry and an opportunity to catch up with colleagues and clients. In addition, it enables participants to increase awareness of their destination, gain a real feel for the Russian travel market and gauge demand for their services. Support MITT is officially supported by the following organisations: •Ministry of Sport, Tourism and Youth Policy of the RF •The Council of the Federation •The State Duma or the RF •The Russian Union of Tourism Industry •The Government of Moscow Contact Ekaterina Lakhtikova, Economic Policy Advisor of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Moscow, if you have comments on the content of the bulletin at: Tel: +7 (495) 797-2922 Email: [email protected] 9