UrBC, Yekaterinburg, March 21, 2016. The overall output of Sverdlovsk Region’s fossil development enterprises decreased by 8.9% in February 2016 compared with the previous month, Sverdlovskstat reports. Additionally, the output figures also went down in the sector for production and distribution of electric power, natural gas, and water (-11.9%) and went up in the processing industry (+15.1%). All in all, the constituency’s industrial production index rose by 7% in February 2016 against one month earlier.

UrBC, Yekaterinburg, March 21, 2016. SKB-Bank got on the Forbes magazine’s Top100 Most Reliable Russian Banks list and proved one of the best institutions in the Urals, the bank’s press service reports. Its assets were estimated at over 133bn RUR; the bank carries a number of international Fitch Ratings. Forbes analysts came up with a reliability rating in March 2016; the banks were evaluated against their international ratings, funds, capital adequacy, major lending risks, and the share of private customers’ deposits in their loan books.

UrBC, Yekaterinburg, March 21, 2016. Ural Airlines are now offering special prices on tickets for their Moscow- and Saint Petersburg-bound flights, the company press service reports. ‘A special 20% discount is offered on scheduled flights to Moscow and Saint Petersburg and back on March18-20; departure dates all fall in the March 25 to May 31, 2016 range,’ the press service says. You can book the tickets at www.uralairlines.com, via Uralairlines mobile app, over the phone (8-800-7700-262), or in any booking office.

UrBC, Yekaterinburg, March 21, 2016. The Ural Bank for Reconstruction & Development (UBRD) is now a member of MIR, the international payment system, and is undergoing technical certification procedures, the bank’s press service reports. According to the bank representatives, the organization is planning to start issuing MIR cards before the end of the year. Bank Card Director Alexei Piskunov says the ATMs will be all set up before July, as will be the information acquiring and processing and servicing procedures. Cards will be available at any of the bank branches. The UBRD currently has

UrBC, Yekaterinburg, March 21, 2016. Georgiy Zakamennykh, Director-General of Burevestnik Central Scientific Research Institute (a member enterprise of Ural Vagon Zavod Corporation) received the Alexander Nevsky Award. According to the company press service, the award was given to Zakamennykh by Plenipotentiary Representative of Russian Federation President in Volga Federal District Mikhail Babich in the course of a solemn ceremony. ‘The order was given for Zakamennykh’s work achievements, many years of conscientious performance, and proactive social policy,’ the press service says.

UrBC, Magnitogorsk, Chelyabinsk Region, March 21, 2016. Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works (MMK) intends to have its metal produce approved and accepted by 100% of carmakers running their factories in Russia. The company keeps working on its import substitution program and towards becoming an authorized metal goods supplier, MMK reports. The company’s rolled metal products have been approved by 80% of localized carmakers so far, and 60% of these companies use MMK as their regular supplier. For one, MMK is the key metal goods supplier for AvtoVAZ and UAZ and has already been approved by a