2011-02-08 13:15:46 Russia occupies an influential position
in the world as a great power
in terms of natural energy sources;
it ranks second in annual oil production
globally (with about 15% of the
world total). Generally speaking,
its energy policy in the Middle East
integrates the ‘big oil and gas game’
which implicates other regions across
the planet. This is exemplified by
Russia’s active involvement in South
Stream as well as other projects
for the extraction and transportation
of hydrocarbons, which are currently
in the planning stages. | |
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BMIR # 18
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![]() | 2011-02-08 12:17:23 Swiss entrepreneurs have been interested
in the Kaluga region’s agricultural
potential since the early 2000s.
Despite the numerous obstacles foreign
investors have to face to take
part in Russian agriculture, existing
conditions have not dampened their
interest in the Kaluga region. |
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![]() | 2011-02-07 17:06:40 Despite its huge potential for
agricultural development, Russia
continues to stagnate in this area.
Nevertheless, there is reason
to believe that the Russian agricultural
sector’s power can realistically
be restored in the very near future
should a certain amount of political
willpower and support in the form of
foreign investment come in to play. |
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![]() | 2011-02-07 16:44:19 The dual taxation agreement signed
with Germany is a first step towards
acceptance of an ongoing repatriation
tax at source amnesty, allowing
Switzerland to avoid the automatic
exchanges of information the
European Union has requested. |
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“SWITZERLAND’S BUSINESS SECTORS ARE TRADITIONALLY HOSTILE WHEN IT COMES TO THE EUROPEAN UNION MEMBERSHIP” |
![]() | 2011-02-07 14:26:27 Although Switzerland may be geographically located in the centre of Europe, it obstinately refuses to join the European Union (EU). René Schwok, Holder of the Jean Monnet Chair at the European Institute and Professor at Geneva University’s Department of Political Science, explains the reasons behind this reluctance and the current relationship between Switzerland and the EU in an interview with Business Mir. |
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![]() | 2011-02-07 13:41:23 Fearsome winters spent huddled
around hot fires are not the only common
quality connecting the Russian
Federation with the Lake Geneva
region. The business connections
between the two jurisdictions are
substantial and increasing. It is estimated
that some 10,000 Russian
speakers live and work in the arc
between Geneva and Montreux;
Russian restaurants, bookshops
and food shops are sprouting up
across Switzerland. |
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![]() | 2011-02-07 13:08:55 Valais is far more than a prime
location for winter resort fun as
the Canton’s economy is both
dynamic and accessible. Jean-Michel
Cina, President of Valais Canton’s
Government and head of its Economy,
Energy and Territorial Department,
invited Business Mir to his Sion
offices for an exclusive interview
on the challenges his Canton is about
to face. |
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![]() | 2011-02-07 12:25:28 In the vast world of timepieces, few
brands can boast of being directed by
a master watchmaker. François-Paul
Journe is indeed a master – a real artisan
specialised in antique watches –
who has spent the past 30 years providing
exclusive watches made with
the utmost respect for the authentic
tradition of watch making. |
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![]() | 2011-02-07 12:03:49 Café des Artistes is one of Moscow’s
hottest restaurants and features
4 to 6 art exhibits every year.
The restaurant’s glittering clientele
includes patrons ranging from artists
to politicos, celebrities, ex-pats and
tourists. Artists love to exhibit at
Café des Artistes, where their works
attract considerable attention from
both Russian and international buyers.
However, few people are aware
that the man behind the restaurant’s
success is Swiss restaurateur Dolf
Michel. |
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![]() | 2011-02-07 11:24:54 The beginning of a new year is
the time for summing up the events
of the previous 12 months. 2010
has been very eventful in terms of both
political and economic relations between
Russia and the West. Despite the
traditional differences in areas such as
human rights, freedom of speech, the
Georgian conflict, etc., Russia and the
West have established firm ties regarding
common goals and interests, the first
among which is the fight against terrorism. |
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