vlad.tribnet.com / Issue #147 / Business / Reading article...

Good news: Customs is raking in the rubles

Far Eastern customs slightly exceeded its projected revenue intake in the first six months of 1997, collecting 1402 billion rubles ($245.9 million). It sent 20.3 billion rubles ($3.5 million) to the federal budget from the sale of seized goods, and more than 700 billion rubles ($122.8 million) went to customs infrastructure development.

Prosecutor asked to examine Zvezda's books

A federal defense commission has asked the general prosecutor's office in Moscow to examine the accounts of the Zvezda ship and nuclear submarine repair yard. Zvezda failed to provide records for the sale of equipment from Pacific Fleet ships and other recovered items.

Feds sell chopper stock

The federal government will sell 24.5 percent of its holdings of the helicopter manufacturer Progress to raise cash for the troubled firm. The partial sale of the government's 51 percent portion will raise 200 billion rubles. A delegation will ask Moscow to transfer $15 million to Progress - $10 million for wages and $5 million for working capital.

Far East's first shipping exhibition scheduled

The Far East's first international shipping, ports and shipbuilding exhibition was scheduled for Aug. 7-10 in Vladivostok, krai officials reported. It will be held at 6a Batareynaya St.