Russian Winter and Current Affairs in Russia
Winter has set in Moscow now. Last Sunday we saw the first major snowfall, some 10-12 mm of snow fell on Sunday. But the weather forecast says that there will be no more snow till another week or so. Temperatures are in the range of 0 to -4' C. I still remember our early days, say 1990 onwards, when in Mid November we had snow all over, but may be it is the global warming that has forced the winters to arrive late. A year before last, there was'nt any snow till the New Year! We dont know what will happen this year.
Since I have diesel vehicle, sometimes I face problems in getting started in the morning, but I often start from the second - third time. But I have been told that in the sub Siberian regions, and tundra belt they just dont put off their trucks in the winters, they are always on, because once they stop they will not be able to restart them in -40'C to - 50'C. Interesting is'nt it!
POLITICS
All of Russia this week is in Japan, Gazprom - the Russian Gas giant and Rosneft - Oil giant have signed several pacts with Japanese companies. I like the way the Japanese governements promote their business on a government level. Our Indian politicians would never do it, they are always afraid that somebody will point a finger on them that they favour this or that company. But the paradox is that though they dont come out in the open and favour somebody, but from the inside they have affinities towards some or the other business group. These double standards are really crippling us.
Russia is still to sign trade pacts with 7 countries - USA, Canada, Australia, El Salvador, Colombia, Philippines and Malaysia to qualify for their membership of WTO. India has long back signed the trade pact with Russians.
But Russian businessmen remain largely uneducated over how a WTO membership could effect them. The Russian government is busy negotiating its membership and is not educating the business community on the pros and cons of WTO membership. Maybe some of the experts from India could come and enlighten their Russian counterparts.
Since I have diesel vehicle, sometimes I face problems in getting started in the morning, but I often start from the second - third time. But I have been told that in the sub Siberian regions, and tundra belt they just dont put off their trucks in the winters, they are always on, because once they stop they will not be able to restart them in -40'C to - 50'C. Interesting is'nt it!
POLITICS
All of Russia this week is in Japan, Gazprom - the Russian Gas giant and Rosneft - Oil giant have signed several pacts with Japanese companies. I like the way the Japanese governements promote their business on a government level. Our Indian politicians would never do it, they are always afraid that somebody will point a finger on them that they favour this or that company. But the paradox is that though they dont come out in the open and favour somebody, but from the inside they have affinities towards some or the other business group. These double standards are really crippling us.
Russia is still to sign trade pacts with 7 countries - USA, Canada, Australia, El Salvador, Colombia, Philippines and Malaysia to qualify for their membership of WTO. India has long back signed the trade pact with Russians.
But Russian businessmen remain largely uneducated over how a WTO membership could effect them. The Russian government is busy negotiating its membership and is not educating the business community on the pros and cons of WTO membership. Maybe some of the experts from India could come and enlighten their Russian counterparts.
posted by Amrendra at
11:42 AM
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