FOREIGN TRADE MINISTRY WANTS TO AID EXPORTERS.

The Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations wants to establish special credit guarantees to help Russian exporters, Kommersant-Daily reported June 3. The paper suggested that this proposal was part of the ministry’s efforts to retain its own bureaucratic role and to control exports as it has in the past. Meanwhile, in another example of a return to traditional government involvement in the economy, officials around Yeltsin have announced that the Russian government will purchase shares in two large Moscow banks, Ogonek (no. 23) said. Also, Moscow officials said they expected trade with one of Russia’s major partners–China–to remain relatively flat this year, Itar-Tass said June 13.

Foreign Ministry Blocks Russian Citizenship Applicants.