Feb 6
Earlier this week World Class, a network of upmarket Russian gyms, declared a change in its ownership structure. Goldman Sachs and VTB have jointly bought a 50% stake in this well-known fitness chain which has over 60 centres in 22 cities across Russia. continue reading
Yesterday it was announced the Russo-Armenian investment banker, Ruben Vardanyan, will become the first Russian member of the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC). According to RBK Daily, the internationally-renowned businessman will step down from his current position as an advisor to the President of Sberbank, to advise the IFC on investment policies.
For a long time UK Trade And Investment (UKTI) has assisted UK businesses entering the Russian market. Today, however, UKTI announced it will broaden its sphere of activity, by launching schemes to support Russian companies interested in investing in the UK.
For the third year Bloomberg has published its list of the “Best Countries for Business”. Though I am slightly sceptical of the restrictive parameters of such league tables, it is always welcome to see Russia climbing a rankings compiled by an internationally recognised organisation.
Last week I followed the dialogues emerging from Moscow’s annual economic forum. It congregates world renowned opinion leaders to discuss the Russian economy. This year’s theme was: “Russia and the World: Sustainable Development”. continue reading
HOTELS Magazine has published its December investment outlook, focusing on hotel development in the BRICS. The Associate Editor, Nathan Greenhalgh, argues the hotel pipeline remains robust despite slowing economic growth.
An article published earlier this week in the Russian publication, RBK Daily, encourages private investors in Russia to venture beyond familiar investment bonds and to consider ‘alternative’ forms of investment.
I was pleased to come across this article in The Times yesterday setting out the interconnection between higher education and international business. The article draws on observations by Jim O’Neill who came up with the BRICS acronym.
Russia Today reports on an interesting new perspective of President Putin in an article by the leading UK daily newspaper, The Times. In an article by Roger Boyes (Diplomatic Editor), the newspaper heralds the President as the ‘Man of the Year’ for his efforts to ‘bring Moscow back to the international high table’. The President’s bold efforts in Syria are highlighted in particular for having been a ‘face-saver’ for the US and Britain.
Ahead of the New Year, Forbes (Russia) has published a new list of the top 10 most successful Russian venture capital investors in 2013. Interestingly almost all of these investors are involved in internet-related projects, a sector that is flourishing in Russia. It would be nice to see the rating developing to include not only VCs but PE Managers as well next year. continue reading
Andrey Yakunin