Based on materials by RUGRAD.EU. In an interview to RUGRAD.EU Alexandra Smirnova, Minister of Economy of the Kaliningrad region said that the uncertainty deriving from decisions made at the federal level concerning the regional economy may be estimated at 30% of GRP. According to the Minister, one of the most relevant examples of the effect of decisions by the federal centre is regulation of customs duties on imports of parts for consumer electronics assembling plants.

Based on materials by Kaliningrad.Ru. Duties on import of LCD TV-sets to Russia have been raised from 10% to 15% for the period of 9 months. The resolution was signed by Prime-Minister Vladimir Putin on March 31, and will take force within a month from the date of its official publication, BFM.ru reports.

Based on materials by rugrad.eu. As Andrey Isakov, Executive Director of “Vagonka” club (one of the oldest and most popular clubs in Kaliningrad) told RUGRAD.EU, attendance level at Kaliningrad clubs dropped by 30-40% on average. This made the clubs refuse some of the costly projects with participation of “costly” stars. Mr. Isakov points out, however, that the “stars” are now far more willing to make discounts on their performance fees – up to 10% on average. Read more in Russian…

Based on materials by rugrad.eu. According to information provided to RUGRAD.EU by Nikolai Arbuzov, Director of Kaliningrad office of “Finam” investment holding the managing company of the holding intended to significantly increase investments in buying of land of agricultural use in 2009. Mr. Arbuzov says that now is a good moment for buyers as the supply grows – as banks are selling mortgages and farmers and agriholdings need money for refinancing. He also points out that Finam offers those who sell land an opportunity to rent it on transparent and long terms. Read more in Russian…

Based on materials by rugrad.eu. According to information provided to RUGRAD.EU by Vladimir Ashihin, Deputy Minister of Economy of the Kaliningrad region, the launch of the transport industrial warehousing hub is preliminary set for November 2012. The construction is being implemented by thenew SEZ resident, OOO BaltTehProm. The company has already invested 70 mn roubles out of 500 mn roubles stated in the investment declaration. As of today, waste-disposal facilities have almost been completed, equipment in boiler-house installed (90% of work finalised), railroad access branches constructed, freight-handling stations are being equipped, and construction of bitumen plant has begun.

ITAR-TASS.MOSCOW, April 4 (Itar-Tass) -- There exists a rather wide window of opportunities for achieving a mutually acceptable result, “despite some major disagreements in approaches of the two sides to filling a new Russia-EU agreement with specific content,” officials at the Russian Foreign Ministry said about the results of the just-ended fourth-round meeting of delegations devoted to a new base agreement between Russia and the European Union.

Based on materials by rugrad.eu. Within the framework of bilateral treaty between Lithuania and Estonia the Consulate General of the Republic of Lithuania in Kaliningrad on April 1, 2009 started issuing schengen visas for those willing to visit Estonia. Read more in Russian…

Based on materials by Kaliningrad.Ru. Lithuanian Railways (Lietuvos Gelezinkeliai, LG) have postponed the rise in transit tariffs on cargoes heading to and from Kaliningrad. This was announced by Tomas Kersys, the company’s Deputy Director for Commercial Activity. According to Mr. Kersys, the rise will be postponed at least until the meeting between ministers of transport of Russia and Lithuania which is due to take place in the short run, although the exact date is not yet known. Read more in Russian…

RIA Novosti. MOSCOW, April 3 (RIA Novosti) - The next round of talks on a comprehensive Russia-EU partnership deal will be held in June, Russia's EU envoy Vladimir Chizhov said on Friday.

RIA Novosti. MOSCOW/BRUSSELS, April 3 (RIA Novosti) - A new round of talks on a comprehensive Russia-EU partnership deal opens in Moscow on Friday.