BMIR # 19

2011-06-20 11:01:38  Irina Prokhorova is well known to art lovers as she created the New Literary Observer (NLO) magazine and publishing house. She also co-founded and heads the Mikhail Prokhorov Foundation that is named after her brother, the famous businessman who founded ONEXIM. Mrs. Prokhorov discussed the state of contemporary Russian art, philanthropy's role in developing and supporting Russian culture as well as her foundation's activities in an exclusive interview with Business Mir.

2011-06-20 11:35:58  The most urgent topic in recent discussions and declarations made by Russian leaders was the national investment climate. This problem has been the subject of lively discussions day after day and experts, economists and politicians have finally agreed that the investment climate is bad. Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev spoke even more bluntly by stating “It is very bad. In 2010, the business environment for many small companies has grown even worse”.

2011-06-20 12:07:17  Although Sergei Sobyanin was appointed the new mayor of Moscow in October, 2010, he is a relatively unknown political figure to both Muscovites and foreign observers. However, Sobyanin faces what seem to be colossal challenges ahead as the new mayor following on the heels of Yuri Luzhkov's 18 year reign. He must both justify the Kremlin's trust in him and secure long-term 'political stability'. Sobyanin is furthermore confronted with the responsibilities of improving Moscow’s disastrous road network as well as actively fighting the corruption that plagues Russia's capital city...

2011-06-20 12:26:46  The numerous attacks on Switzerland’s banking sector over the past few years worry the financial players concerned, and rightfully so. Swiss banks have reacted as best as they can by implementing measures ranging from increased vigilance regarding suspicious funds to reinforced data security while the banking sector awaits a new concession from the political arena…

2011-06-20 12:49:55  Located on the border between French and German-speaking Switzerland, Fribourg Canton has been experiencing an economic boom over the past few years. Business Mir interviewed Beat Vonlanthen, Fribourg Canton's Minister for Economic Affairs and Employment, to discuss the factors driving the region's success.

2011-06-20 13:16:17  Swissmem (Swiss Association of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Industries) is the largest and most widely recognized industrial trade association in Switzerland. Business Mir met with Swissmem's new chairman, Hans Hess, to learn more about Swissmem's origins and functions as well as its position on the Russian market.

2011-06-20 13:26:42  Over the past few decades, Geneva has indisputably asserted itself as an international raw materials trading centre. An analysis of the reasons behind the city’s success, which is as much due to its privileged economic climate as it is to a bit of luck…

2011-06-20 13:44:35  A third of the world’s oil and gas trading is transacted in Geneva and the city’s Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID) is preparing to launch its new Executive Master’s Degree in International Oil and Gas Leadership. Business Mir met with Andrea Bonzanni, the Graduate Institute’s Executive Education Officer, to learn more about the programme.

2011-06-20 14:06:18  Fine wines produced in Russia? Even the most adventurous wine aficionados raise an eyebrow when offered a glass of Russian wine. But sceptical expressions invariably change to amazed delight after tasting any of the Burnier family’s Krasnodar region wines - be it their rich Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Krasnostop or their crisp white wine. Swiss winemaker Renaud Burnier and his Russian wife, Marina, have created a range of exceptional wines in their vineyard near the Black Sea.

2011-06-20 14:13:02  Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP – one of the largest foreign law firms in Russia – recently held a seminar in conjunction with the International Tax and Investment Center. Their “Changes to the Application of International Tax Treaties” seminar took place in Moscow to address the implications for international tax structures and dual taxation.