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Articles by Chris Weafer
How to De-Spook Investors
17 May 12
By Chris Weafer
Political uncertainty, now affecting almost all of the world's major economies, has combined with economic unpredictability to create an even more uncertain backdrop for global markets.
A 'To Do' List for Growth in Putin's Next Term
06 March 12
By Chris Weafer
The election is over, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will be the next president, and the stock market has recovered all of the ground that it lost during December when the perception of political risk reached record highs.
Economic Glasnost
20 December 10
By Chris Weafer
Twenty years after Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev’s policy of glasnost brought about the end of the Soviet Union, the government of President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is again embarked on a strategy of openness. Only this time they are banking on economic glasnost.
Doing Business Under a New Mayor
06 October 10
By Chris Weafer
There is nothing intuitive in saying that former Mayor Yury Luzhkov’s successor will have much better relations with the federal government than he or his administration had. That is because the next mayor will be appointed by the president.
Too Early to Break Out the Champagne
28 August 09
By Chris Weafer
It's tempting to interpret the 0.5 percent monthly improvement in July’s gross domestic product as assurance that all is now well with the economy, but the seedlings of growth will have to be extended to the consumer and small businesses if sustained recovery is to be achieved.
It's Only a Matter of Price
05 March 09
By Chris Weafer
The second trial of former Yukos CEO Mikhail Khodorkovsky has reignited the debate over whether prominent business scandals -- such as the destruction of Yukos, the pressure applied to force a restructuring of Sakhalin-2 or more recently the actions against fertilizer producer Uralkali -- cause serious damage to the country's investment climate or whether the fallout is only temporary.
Taking the Elephant Out of the Room
01 October 08
By Chris Weafer
Using the country's financial reserves to boost liquidity in the financial system is a very sensible use of money in this period of extreme uncertainty and risk.
Rebranding Gazprom
06 May 08
By Chris Weafer
The transfer of presidential power to Dmitry Medvedev will likely mark a turning point in how the world views Gazprom. For much of the last four years, Gazprom has been viewed with suspicion mixed with frustration as approval for projects to increase the country's energy exports were often delayed.
Give the Donkey a Sporting Chance
07 December 07
By Chris Weafer
The State Duma elections did more than just give President Vladimir Putin a mandate to choose his future role as a moral authority and national leader after he leaves office.
Give the Donkey a Sporting Chance
07 December 07
By Chris Weafer
The State Duma elections did more than just give President Vladimir Putin a mandate to choose his future role as a moral authority and national leader after he leaves office.
The Rest of the World Matters
15 August 07
By Chris Weafer
Anybody with access to the media has certainly heard of the problems caused by subprime mortgages in the United States, the growing global credit squeeze and troubled hedge funds.
OPEC, Russia and Iraq
25 September 02
By Chris Weafer
During the next two years OPEC will face one of the most critical periods in its existence.
Putin's 8-Year Plan
16 July 02
By Chris Weafer
Russia must boost investment into non-commodity sectors so as to achieve higher annual GDP growth rates.
