Some Economic News from Russia

22 July 02 | various

[Stavka2]

Izvestiya: reported that a draft program reforming the civil service in the near future has been presented to the Duma. First Deputy of Economic Development and Trade Minister Mikhail Dmitriev said it will be implemented over decades but will change the administrative system beyond recognition. Citizens will gain legislative methods to influence public servants who go too far.

Polit.ru: Tax Minister Gennadil Bukaev laid out 3 measures for increasing the return of capital to Russia. It is essential to implement a deposit-insurance program. Interest rates on deposits must increase. The government must stop asking where the money came from.

Gazeta.ru: Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov on 18 July signed a concept fo the development of Russia's automobile industry that will reduce tariffs on all imported foreign cars, regardless of age, fro 35% to 25% for 7 years, which is the transition period for Russia's accession to the WTO.

rbc.ru: Boris Nemtsov (leader of the Union of Rightist Forces [SPS]) critized the tariffs as still to high. "The current high import tariff and the absence of competition are impeding the inflow of the industry." He suggested the lowering the tariff to 15-20%

ITAR-TASS: Russian automakers expand abroad: AvtoVAZ plans to launch a spare-parts assembly line in EGYPT on 20 July. Ulyanovsk Automobile Works (UAZ) said that it has reached an agreement to open a plant in Venezuela. It is projected to produce as many as 500 cars by the end of the year.

Nezavisimaya Gazeta: Gennadii Raikov, head of the People's Deputy faction int he Duma, plans on introducing a legislature to reform local and municipal governments to one single standard. At present each self-government is different. Each village has a different set up.

[Stavka2]

Something to brighten the day.

[Voronin]

But then again the Gov is moaning that the strengthened € against the $ is hurting oil revenues...

VRN

[tomahawk]

Privet. This is a reversal from 1998, when Russia crashed and America was doing well. Hopefully, U.S. will stabilize soon.

[MarMema]

I swear I would buy a Lada if they sold them here. How are you doing - freepmail me and let me know!!

[historian1944]

I would personally like one of those GAZ Jeeps. I think those were the only cars too ugly for anyone to steal in Moscow!

It was funny to see a guy with one of those old square 1980s Ladas put on a club, another locking device on the shifter, and then an audible alarm. It was the kind of car that no self respecting car thief would steal even with the keys in the ignition and a bag of money on the seat.

I am glad to see things continue to look up over there; there is a possibility of me moving there in a year or two, if my fiancee has problems adjusting to being so far from her family. That is, assuming the INS and State Department get around to approving my fiancee visa.

[MarMema]

INS takes forever to approve visas. Hang in there.
You're very fortunate to get a chance to live there. I love Moscow and have not been there for a few years.

[historian1944]

Thanks for the encouragement. :)

The INS letter I got said 70 to 100 days (it's now day 82) before the portion that gets done in Nebraska is complete, and then it will go to Moscow for 8 more weeks.

When I was visiting Veronika in January (the last time I've seen her), we were in Moscow for three days before we went to Protvino, the city she lives in. She said she was happy to be there, because after three days, she missed her family. At that point I had to determine if I was willing to move there, if the need arose. Well, one makes ones own opportunities!

She said that she was willing to try at least a year here without going back home, and we'll decide then.