DUMA TO REPEAT HEARING ON PRODUCTION SHARING LAW.

The Duma will repeat the second reading of the bill which would have businesses share production with the government rather than pay some taxes, Kommersant-Daily reported June 10. The paper said that the Duma had taken this unusual step after its members had rejected all amendments which had been offered to the basic draft, including those of its own economics committee. The Russian government is pushing hard for the measure, which frees firms which agree to this from most other taxes for up to 50 years. Foreign firms have argued that such an arrangement would make Russia a more attractive place for investments.

Local Officials Use OMON Troops Against Gas Industry.