September 17, 2007, 11:05
The Russian government is working on a bill to limit foreign investment in some of the country’s most lucrative strategic sectors, including oil and gas, and aviation.
Russia’s effort to formalise how it regulates its strategic sectors comes at a time when several of the world’s major economies are doing the same, and economic protectionism is on the rise across the globe.
National governments from the U.S. to the UK are increasingly making it clear that foreign investment must be regulated in strategic industries, such as defence, aviation and energy.
Russia’s parliament is now discussing a draft law limiting investment in its strategic sectors, meaning foreign companies will be unable to gain control of projects in these industries.
The Association of European Businesses in Russia is not opposing the new law, but is concerned about some of its formulations:
“It is not completely clear what is meant by the lists defining the strategic sectors. We have a problem that the procedural framework is not completely clear,” pointed out Dr. Frank Schauff, CEO of the Association of EU businesses in Moscow.
After months of pressure from Russia’s environmental authorities, Royal Dutch Shell ceded control of the Sakhalin-2 oil and gas project to Russia’s Gazprom late last year.
Gazprom has also bought control of Russia’s Kovykta gas field from Russo-British venture TNK-BP, after authorities threatened to revoke the latter’s licence for under-producing at the field.
“There’s a bitter taste in a lot of investors’ mouths. They are worried, and they are worried because they do not see proper legislation, so any move towards clarity is welcome,” pinpointed Tom Mundy, strategist at Renaissance Capital Group, Moscow
The law may put an official stamp on Russia’s policy but it will not change much for foreign investors.
“It’s only a question of formalities, not a question of reality. In my opinion the reality is already here. Foreigners are not advised to invest in strategic segments,” said Evgeny Nadorshin, Chief economist at Trust Bank, Moscow.
http://www.russiatoday.ru/business/news/14263
This website and sisters royaldutchshellplc.com, shellnazihistory.com, royaldutchshell.website, johndonovan.website, and shellnews.net, are owned by John Donovan. There is also a Wikipedia segment.
Royal Dutch Shell conspired directly with Hitler, financed the Nazi Party, was anti-Semitic and sold out its own Dutch Jewish employees to the Nazis. Shell had a close relationship with the Nazis during and after the reign of Sir Henri Deterding, an ardent Nazi, and the founder and decades long leader of the Royal Dutch Shell Group. His burial ceremony, which had all the trappings of a state funeral, was held at his private estate in Mecklenburg, Germany. The spectacle (photographs below) included a funeral procession led by a horse drawn funeral hearse with senior Nazis officials and senior Royal Dutch Shell directors in attendance, Nazi salutes at the graveside, swastika banners on display and wreaths and personal tributes from Adolf Hitler and Reichsmarschall, Hermann Goring. Deterding was an honored associate and supporter of Hitler and a personal friend of Goring.
Deterding was the guest of Hitler during a four day summit meeting at Berchtesgaden. Sir Henri and Hitler both had ambitions on Russian oil fields. Only an honored personal guest would be rewarded with a private four day meeting at Hitler’s mountain top retreat.
IN JULY 2007, MR BILL CAMPBELL (ABOVE, A RETIRED GROUP AUDITOR OF SHELL INTERNATIONAL SENT AN EMAIL TO EVERY UK MP AND MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS: 
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A head-cut image of Alfred Donovan (now deceased) appears courtesy of The Wall Street Journal.
