The Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin signed a decree appointing lieutenant-general Vladimir Kucherov Head of the Department of Internal Affairs in Ural Federal District, reports the President’s press officer.

According to the ranking compiled by Interfax CEA (Center of Economic Analysis), Bank 24.ru got on Russia’s Top 300 largest banks list based on its net wealth. It hit the 228th position on January 1, 2007. There are 27 Ural banks on this list altogether, for example, Ural Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Metcombank, and some others. Originally, as many as 1,005 Russian banks were ranked by Interfax, reports the spokesperson for Bank 24.ru.

‘Any illegal video downloading online is, as a matter of fact, an act of piracy, so providers allowing users to do that must be prosecuted in compliance with the copyright laws, even if this means filing a criminal suit against them,’ claims Tatiana Pryanishnikova, Marketing Director of EA Cinema Holding, relating to Internet providers who have been offering new videos at very low prices. ‘These offenders must be fought against here and now before this illegal business grows stronger. We haven’t received any complaints of this kind yet, but I am inclined to think this is a matter of time.

‘Rospotrebnadzor (the state consumer rights watchdog) might act as the third party in court I order to support a bank’s borrower in case the latter files a petition asking to use our experts’ report for the case,’ says Elena Bogacheva of Ural division of Rospotrebnadzor. Kommersant newspaper has recently reported that for the first time, a claim has been laid by a borrower against a bank regarding illegal additional commissions connected with mortgage lending. Rospotrebnadzor is to support the borrower for the first time as well. This claim, laid against RosEuroBank, is unique in that it is

According to the official report placed at Severnaya Kazna’s website, Russian Tax Association (run by Igor Teuschakov) has reduced its share in the authorized capital of the company twice within this week. This share amounted to .105% on March 1, 2007, whereas on February 26, 2007, the figures halved from 6.447% to 3.438%. This means Russian Tax Association sold 6.342% of its shares in two installments (3.009% and 3.333%). Severnaya Kazna had to officially publish this information as this is a legal requirement for all shareholders possessing more than 5% of a company’s authorized capital. In

Governor of Sverdlovsk Region Eduard Rossel held a meeting with First Deputy CEO of MetalloInvest Management Company Ltd. Nazim Efendiev, reports the Governor’s press officer. Mr. Efendiev said that Uralmash Russian Machine Building Concern with Yekaterinburg-based headquarters was expected to set up soon. ‘A globally recognized brand would unite former assets of Uralmash and of a number of other enterprises,’ he noted. ‘Russia needs Uralmash, as this is the only plant that produces unique equipment for various industries, and there will never be another one like it. Sverdlovsk Region

Rosselkhoznadzor (the state agricultural watchdog) might ban import of cattle produce from the EU beginning from April 1, 2007 unless each country produces veterinary certificates before March 31, 2007. The market players say Rosselkhoznadzor’s requirements are justified, reports RosBusinessConsulting. According to the preliminary data provided by the National Meat Association, 60,000 tons of beef, 220,000 to 230,000 tons of pork, 190,000 to 200,000 tons of poultry, and 200,000 tons of by-products were imported from Europe last year. In terms of money, this came to round about $1.5 billion.

‘Local car loan market is developing at a very fast pace, and we are constantly on the lookout for the new bank offers which we look into very closely prior to signing a cooperation agreement. Auto shows usually cooperate with four to six banks that offer low interest rate and no monthly commissions. Banks that are not capable of adapting to their clients’ needs are not normally among them,’ says Natalia Aristova of Okami Motors car center. Russian banks issued some $7.5 to $8 billion worth of loans in 2006, which comes to 40% of all new cars bought in the country, whereas the figure only

Some British builders are going to take part in local construction projects, reports Britain’s Consulate-General in Yekaterinburg. Executives of Buschow Henley, British Expertise WYG International, and PRP Architects are to arrive in Yekaterinburg on March 5, 2007. Their agenda includes a workshop devoted to discussing various ways of design and town planning. The British experts will also hold negotiations with the city council and the local builders.

Rosselkhoznadzor (the state agricultural watchdog) put temporary limits on meat export from a number of companies based in the U.S., France, Germany, Brazil, and Uruguay, reports Rosselkhoznadzor’s press officer. Over 200 tons of poultry, beef, and pork imported from these countries were examined this January, and the meat was found to be infected with salmonella.