RUSSIA OPEN TO INCREASED FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN STATE-OWNED AVIATION ASSETS

Russian Finance Minister Alexey Kudrin stated yesterday that Russia is open for foreign investments, including those into large companies with the participation of the state. The minister also again confirmed that the Russian state plans to lower its holdings in banks, the aviation sector, energy and oil companies. The work on the programme of privatising federal property in Russia for the years 2010-2012 started last year. The Russian government plans to debate this program in late November. Many experts note that the Russian market has good prospects for investments. Kudrin points out that the privatization of strategic companies needs to