Somali pirates freed a Greek cargo ship for ransom.

Somali pirates freed after a ransom Greek cargo ship, said a European naval mission EU NAVFOR. "EU NAVFOR can confirm that the company owned by the Greek cargo ship flying the Panamanian flag Navios Apollon, captured Dec. 28, was released on the morning of 28 February", - stated in the mission. On board were 19 crew members: captain - a citizen of Greece, the rest - Filipinos. The vessel goes to Oman and from there to India, confirmed the RIA Novosti representative of the Greek Coast Guard. According to her, the vessel was not released Sunday, and on Saturday evening, shortly after the ransom was paid. "The whole team feels good," - said the agency interlocutor. Earlier, Reuters reported with reference to the Coordinator of the East African aid mariners Andrew Mwangura, that the ransom to pirates was dropped from the plane before. Dry cargo vessel Navios Apollon Greek company owns and sails under the flag of Panama. He was captured 200 miles from the Seychelles. At that time, cargo ship bound from Florida (USA) in India with a cargo of fertilizer. At the present time in captivity of Somali pirates are five ships and about 120 sailors. According to a recent report of the UN secretary general on the issue of piracy off the coast of Somalia during 2008 from around the world has reported 306 incidents of piracy, 136 of which occurred in the area of East Africa. In the period from 1 January to 30 September 2009 reported 300 incidents worldwide, of which 160 occurred in the eastern coast of the African continent. Somalia can not cope with the problem of piracy, since ceased to exist as a single state as early as 1991, with the fall of the dictatorial regime of Siad Barre, who ruled from the end of 1960. At the present time as the sole legitimate authority in the country of the international community recognizes the Federal Government of Somalia, but the latter controls only part of the capital - the city of Mogadishu. The remaining parts of Somalia under the control of unrecognized state entities, or are self-governing territories, whose leadership has a different - often opposing - views on reunification. For example, in areas in the south and north-east Somalia, ruled by local clans and radical Islamist movements in the north-west since 1991, there is the unrecognized Republic of Somaliland.

The Greeks are ready to "tighten their belts" to overcome the crisis - poll.

Living in Greece are ready to "tighten their belts" to overcome the economic crisis, showed data released on Sunday, a public opinion poll conducted by a local company MRB. Athens with a debt of 300 billion euro and the fiscal deficit in 12.7% of GDP have been under the close supervision of the European Union, which requires Greece to fulfill their obligations and to reduce the deficit in 2010 to 4% of GDP. According to the study, 59% of respondents said they were ready for sacrifices, and 64% are opposed to strikes. On Wednesday, February 24, the normal life of the country was disrupted daily general strike. In addition, 53% say insufficient measures taken by the Government to reduce costs. The authorities have frozen the growth of wages in the public sector fell by 10% supplement to the salary of civil servants, as well as increased excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol, the consumption tax on gasoline. In addition, plans to introduce new tax legislation that would increase fees primarily to the wealthy citizens. Almost two-thirds of respondents believe that the measures are unfair, socially, and three-quarters point to the fact that they do not contribute to economic recovery. The majority endorses the further reduction of public expenditures, particularly subsidies to civil servants. Also, respondents welcomed the reduction in the number of civil servants and the abolition of lifetime employment. Finally, support was met and the proposal to introduce an additional tax on luxury items. Despite their declared commitment to the victims, the majority of respondents opposed the measures, which, as the newspapers, the government may take in the future. Thus, the respondents do not want to repeal the 14 th salary, increase the VAT changes in the pension system and reducing the obligations of employers to employees. European Union in March will decide how well Greece to cope with the implementation of anti-crisis measures. The poll was conducted this week, the questions were answered by several hundred adult citizens of Greece.

Mirax has reduced debt from $ 770 million to approximately $ 500 million - Polonsky.

Debts Mirax Group in early February, down from 770 million a year ago to about $ 500 million, said co-owner of the developer and the chairman of the board of directors Sergey Polonsky. "A year ago, in general, we had 770 million dollars at the beginning of February - for about $ 500 million. Most, of course, Alfa Bank, and holders of debt securities - CLN and bonds worth 298 million dollars. In addition, $ 83 million we must MDM Bank, CJSC Credit Europe Bank and other creditors ", - said Polonsky paper released on Monday in an interview with Kommersant. Alfa-Bank in the summer of 2009 were bought debts Mirax Group at Credit Suisse. Then followed the arrest of the main project developer - the tower "Federation" and a business center Mirax Plaza, which was later withdrawn, to the same Mirax left three minority shareholders from among the founders of the company, recalls the newspaper. According to Polonsky, the main task at the moment in the process of debt restructuring - to resolve the issue with the bondholders and CLN. "This is being undertaken by the IFC (the Bank Mikhail Prokhorov). Until we have a vicious circle: in order to agree on restructuring, it is necessary to start the process of construction to generate revenue. To do this, get a new credit resources attraction which also tied to the success of restructuring. Unfortunately, it so happened that we did not have any Sberbank, VTB nor a single dollar. When the crisis broke, I spoke with the leaders of these banks over lending, and was told that first they must deal with its debtors. But now we have resumed negotiations with them ", - says Polonsky. He noted that a year ago to talk with the banks was impossible, because the proposals with rates less than 30% did not, but now the developer collects proposals. Speaking about relations with the company Alfa-Bank, Polonsky said that, firstly, the bank does not belong to the corporation, and he was laid stocks and complexes Mirax "Federation" and the Mirax Plaza. "Now we are left to Alfa-Bank 155 million dollars (in the summer of 2009 - 331 million dollars). Under the loan only provides our main office located in stylobate part of the tower" Federation "... it is about 15 thousand square meters, and business Center for Bryansk Street. In total - 40 thousand square meters. Also part of the debt secured by my personal guarantee. They were awarded in the spring of 2009 under a loan obtained by the corporation in Alpha Bank to acquire Alfa our debt at Credit Suisse "- said Polonsky. According to him, the complexity of the situation lies in the fact that Alpha did not need a real estate developer. "We are paying very real money, virtually all financial flows that are directed to a payment of Alfa-Bank. We hope that soon we will restructure the debt with the help of Sberbank or VTB, or with the" Alpha "to develop additional agreements, because the existing conditions for us very hard ", - said Polonsky, recognizing that doing so is quite difficult. He explained that the company needs to obtain financing for the "Federation" of $ 240 million dollars, but the banks know that the slightest delay in payment, Alfa Bank has the right to close the office Mirax. "Therefore, Sberbank raises one of the main conditions for granting credit - the withdrawal from the pledge at Alfa Bank, main office of the company", - said Polonsky.

Volkswagen in the early summer will present a new model created for Russia.

Russia "daughter" lead germanskogo manufacturer Volkswagen Group Rus plans in the early summer of this year to market a model created specially for Russia, told RIA Novosti in an interview CEO Kortsekva Dietmar (Dietmar Korzekwa). Name the new car to be produced at a factory in Kaluga, as well as its cost producer while keeping a secret. "Of course, already has a name, but it has not been disclosed and will be announced in a formal submission of a new car. As for the price, it will be very competitive in this class," - said the head of the company. Kortsekva noted that while Russia's new model Volkswagen saw only Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. This is a car "sedan" economy-class created on the basis of the car Polo and fully adapted to Russia's market value of the car could reach about 440 thousand rubles. Driver localization According to general director of Volkswagen Group Rus, the new car will be the leader of the company's localization - many of its components will be made directly in Kaluga. At the start of the proportion of localization is 40%, not counting the body, which will be 100% Russia - not only cooking and beautiful but also impress the Kaluga plant. "We are also creating a whole new industry of suppliers and has ygovorili about ten international companies to establish their production at Kaluga", - said the head of the company. According to him, some of them will complete construction of its plants in May. Among partners of Volkswagen, he called the Canadian Magna and the Chinese manufacturer of automobile glass FUYAO Glass, who later also plans to produce and windows. "After us in Kaluga come not only to automobile manufacturers. It plans to develop the chemical concern and a manufacturer of railway equipment. Thus, in Kaluga will create a powerful industrial cluster, - has summed up Kortsekva. Forecast By year-end number of employees in a factory Volkswagen Group Rus exceed 3 thousand people. "In the long term in Russia in general we will generate about 10 thousand jobs in view of suppliers and service companies", - said the head of the company. In 2009, Volkswagen has sold 48,5 thousand cars produced in Russia. Kortsekva expects that the issuance of new car sales will grow, but to give specific forecasts are not resolved. The head of the company expects demand for the restoration of Russia's market, including launching the program for recycling old cars. But so far, he said, to revive sales is not observed. "The results of January-February was lower than forecast. In the first half sales will be modest. Nevertheless, we expect that demand for Russia's market this year will be no lower than last year's level - somewhere 1,35 million cars," - said Kortsekva. According to his calculations, the restoration of the market in volume in 2008 (2.8 million cars) to happen to the 2014-2015 year. Concern Volkswagen, established in 1937, is the largest automaker in Europe and one of the largest in the world. Currently, his factory in Kaluga, produces cars brand Volkswagen (Passat, Polo, Jetta, Tiguan, Touareg, Passat CC) and Skoda (Octavia, Octavia Tour, Fabia, Superb). In July 2009 the plant expanded the range, with the launch of models Caddy and Transporter. As of July 1, 2009 investment in the project amounted to 570 million euros. The total investment for the cooperation agreement - 750 million euros.

The dollar has fallen in price at the opening of the first tender spring at 6 cents.

Dollar exchange rate declined at the opening of the first Trading spring for 6 cents - up to 29.94 ruble, the euro exchange rate - for 5 cents, reaching 40.78 rubles, the data suggest the exchange. The cost of currency basket, calculated at market rates, fell at the opening of a 3 penny - up to 34.84 rubles 34.87 rubles against the previous trading day. At the closing on Saturday, which was a working day, the dollar estimates "tomorrow" was 30.00 ruble, the euro exchange rate - 40,83 rubles. Ruble, on Monday received support from expensive oil, which has managed to gain a foothold in the range above 75 dollars per barrel. At 10.00 Moscow time futures mixture London Brent traded at a mark of 77.9 dollars per barrel, against 77.6 dollars on Saturday night. The European currency is again losing ground to the Forex because of fears of investors about the debt problems of Greece. By the opening of foreign exchange in Russia, the euro-dollar fell to 1.3593 dollars against 1.3620 dollars at the close of the previous auction. On Monday the last day of fiscal accounts for payments in Russia, which is also a positive factor for Russia's currency.

Asian Stock Exchange closed different direction against the problems of Toyota and the eurozone.

Asian Stock Exchange on Tuesday closed down different direction against the backdrop of disappointing data on the debt problems of some euro-zone countries, the complexities of the Japanese auto giant Toyota, as well as fears about the possible tightening of monetary policy in China and India, reports Bloomberg. Overall for the Asia-Pacific index MSCI Asia Pacific AC (including Japan) to the end of trading sessions on the major stock exchanges in Asia grew by 0.2% to 114.39 points. On Monday, the stock market in Japan remained pessimistic that emerged late last week. The mood of the players acted the difficult situation with one of the largest manufacturers of automobiles, a Japanese concern Toyota. Over the past few months, Toyota decided to withdraw from the market and should be repaired more than 9 million vehicles. This figure exceeds the annual sales, which in 2009 totaled 7.81 million, and in 2008 - 8,97 million cars. The reason for extensive reviews served as the fault gas pedal, do not return to neutral position, the problem is in the position of the rug, because of which the gas pedal does not return to neutral position, as well as a faulty brake in the car model Prius. The key index of the Tokyo Stock Exchange's Nikkei 225 to the closure of trades dropped to 0.19% to 9,932.90 points. In turn, the broader Topix fell by 0,16% - to 881.57 points. As analysts note, additional impetus to the fall of the stock market in Japan has increased in the last week, investors' concern about the debt problems of some eurozone countries. At the same time, the stock market neighboring China on Tuesday rose despite fears of further tightening of economic policies of the Chinese government. Thus, the index of Shanghai Stock Exchange (Shanghai Composite Index - SCI), whose dynamics changed in the course of trading several times to close the bidding rose by 0,47%, and was at 2,948.84 points. Meanwhile, the composite index showing the dynamics of transactions on the second highest area of mainland China in Shenzhen (SCZE Composite), by the end of the day, rose - on 0,07%, to 11,955.53 points. In turn, the stock market index in Hong Kong, traditionally sensitive to changes in the stock markets of mainland Celestial, on Tuesday to close trading also rose to 1.42% to 19,828.19 points. Also rose and the stock market in South Korea. Index KOSPI (Korean Composite Stock Price Index) to the closing of the auctions increased by 1.14% to 1,570.49 points. According to analysts, the growth of South Korean stock market was possible against the background of increasing European indices, despite the disappointing projections associated with debt problems of the eurozone countries such as Spain, Portugal, Greece and Ireland. Markets in Singapore on Tuesday shut down the growth of 1,05%, to 2721.90 points. In turn, the Australian S & P / ASX 200 fell by 0.36% and was at 4,505.10 points.

Stock exchanges in Europe were closed for the index on the external positive things.

Leading European stock indices on the basis of trading on Tuesday grew for the first time in five trading sessions, an increase of around 1%, against the backdrop of positive news about the level of the business climate in the United States and more than analysts expected, the growth index of business climate in the region's largest economy, Germany, indicate data exchanges. By the closing of the auctions on Tuesday the British FTSE 100 index gained 0.31% and rose to a mark of 5,276.85 points. Germanic Tuesday DAX added 0.67% to 5,668.93 points. The French CAC index on the basis of trades grew well at 0.67% and reached the mark at 3,807.04 points. Positive came to the stock exchanges in Europe from the U.S., where on Tuesday published data on the level of consumer confidence in the economy. According to the research organization Conference Board, an index of consumer confidence in the U.S. economy in January rose to 55.9 points, while analysts had expected the index to increase to only 53.5 points. In addition, internal statistics also supported the trading platforms in the region. The index of business climate in Germany, calculated by the Munich Institute for Economic Research (IFO), in January, showed the growth of the tenth month in a row and reached a level of 95.8 points, which was above analysts' expectations, compared to 94.6 points in December, against a background of improving the perception of the leading German companies, the current economic situation in the country. Analysts predicted that the index of business climate in Europe's largest economy will increase to 95.1 points. We were pleased with European investors and reporting the German industrial concern siemens AG, net income which ended on Dec. 31 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2010 increased by 24% - up to 1,531 billion euros from 1.230 billion euros on the basis of the same period last year. In terms of one common share for the period from 1 October to 31 December profit group that produces a wide range of high-tech products - from light bulbs to trains, has increased by 21% - up to 1.7 euros from 1.4 euros. Enthusiastically responded to trading floors in Europe and Britain to withdraw from a protracted recession. UK GDP in the fourth quarter of 2009, the first time since the spring of 2008 showed growth - at 0.1%. Nevertheless, the growth of the British FTSE 100 index was limited due to the fact that the increase in GDP in the fourth quarter was less than analysts expected 0.4%. Earlier in the trading session of the European indices have shown negative dynamics against a background of speculation regarding the future of the Chinese authorities, tight monetary policy, in particular, limiting credit growth. Analysts believe that in this case, the restoration of the world economy may be endangered. As reported, the Bank of China has stopped issuing new loans to companies in the region of Shanghai, except for those customers who have already paid off existing debt. Construction Bank of China branch in Shanghai were warned of the need for more careful consideration of applications for loans to private individuals, as well as for mortgage loans. In addition, the bank was ordered to stop issuing loans as soon as the set for the current month standard is met. Chinese banks for the first 19 days of January had issued loans totaling about 1.45 trillion yuan (212 billion dollars), which roughly corresponds to 19% of the limit established for the entire 2010, after which the financial authorities decided to impose restrictions on the volume of lending. In addition, the financial authorities of China in mid-January, took the decision to raise banks' reserve requirements the first time since June 2008. FTSE 100 (Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index) - the main UK share index, calculated by the quotations of shares 100 British companies with highest market capitalization, weighted by market capitalization. DAX 30 (Deutscher Aktienindex) - Germany's main stock index, calculated as an index of stock returns of the 30 largest companies (by market capitalization). CAC 40 (Cotation Assistee en Continu) - France's main stock index, is calculated as a weighted average capitalization value stock prices 40 largest companies.

Forex News. China. Hong Kong. Trade balance

According to published Tuesday by the Committee of Statistics, the trade surplus for December in Hong Kong recorded in the amount of 33.4 billion Hong Kong dollars, compared with 11.76 billion fixed a year earlier. Economists considered in the volume of 22.9 billion In December, the total value of exported goods increased by 9.2% year on year and reached 224.8 billion, compared with an increase of 1.3% a month earlier. While experts expect 12% growth. The cost of imported goods in December increased by 18.7% to 258.3 billion HK dollars compared with 6.5% growth in November, while economists predicted only 16%. In 2009 overall exports and imports declined by 12.6% and 11% respectively, relative to the same period a year earlier. The trade deficit amounted to a total of 223.3 billion HK dollars.