Business
Brits stealing food to sell on black market – report
The UK experienced an unprecedented wave of retail crime in 2023 amid the worsening cost-of-living crisis
Russian economy is in a ‘structural shift’ – Putin
The Russian economy is in good shape and is rapidly expanding despite pressure from Western sanctions, President Vladimir Putin says
Russia scraps import duty on eggs
The Russian government has allowed duty-free imports of eggs in the first half of the year in a bid to stop the surge in prices
Baltic state becomes leading sparkling wine supplier to Russia – media
Latvia has emerged as Russia’s largest sparkling wine supplier in the first nine months of 2023, RIA Novosti reports, citing trade data
Russian diamond ban comes into force
The first phase of the G7 and EU ban on imports of Russian diamonds has come into effect
Eurozone economy faces bleak 2024 – FT
Analysts expect the Eurozone to see only modest growth in 2024 despite wages rising faster than inflation for the first time in three years
Frozen fortune: Where is Russia’s $300 billion?
Moscow has warned of a tit-for-tat response to the seizure of the country’s central bank assets by the West
Russia’s gas production soars – data
Russia produced nearly 60 billion cubic meters of gas in November in annual terms, Kommersant reports
Gold to hit new highs next year – Reuters
Global economic uncertainty is likely to push gold prices higher in 2024, Reuters reports, citing analysts
Iran and Russia officially ditch dollar – media
Moscow and Tehran have agreed to trade in rials and rubles instead of the dollar, and to use alternative platforms to the West’s SWIFT
Russia’s forex reserves surging
Moscow has already earned double the amount of gold and foreign exchange reserves frozen by the West
McDonald’s franchise sues Israel boycott movement – Reuters
McDonald’s Malaysia is seeking damages from a movement that called for a boycott of the chain on social media, Reuters reports
Egypt-Russia trade soaring – official
The turnover of goods between Russia and Egypt has risen by around one-fourth this year, trade representative Aleksey Tevanyan says
Russian factory activity humming – survey
Russia’s manufacturing activity in December grew at its fastest pace since 2017, driven by strong demand and increased output, S&P says
US dollar losing its dominance – data
De-dollarization is gaining momentum across the globe, according to International Monetary Fund data for 2023
Russia to substantially boost key diesel exports – Bloomberg
Russia seeks to ramp up diesel sales from key western ports by around 20% in January amid rising refinery runs, data shows