Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World News today launches Russia Business Report (RBR), its first show dedicated to a largely unexplored business world. From the local cafe ownerΒ to the billionaire property developer, every month Russia Business Report will bring the viewer stories of struggle, success and sometimes failure in a dynamic market place.

The first show, presented by EmmaΒ Simpson, will air on April 24th atΒ 0730 local (0430 GMT), 2030 local (1730 GMT) and on Sunday, 25 April at 1330 local (1030 GMT), 0230 local (2330 GMT).*

Features from the April episode include:

Economic comeback
Last year was the worst for the Russian economy in ten years, but it's surging back. What has beenΒ the impact of the recession and recovery on the workforceΒ and small business?Β Richard Galpin visits a watchmaker, forced to move with the times.

Technology
Can Russia create Silicon Valley in the Moscow suburbs? The government plans to spend billions trying to do just that. Russia Business Report gets the view ofΒ one of the nation's most successful technology entrepreneurs, Natalya Kaspersky of Kaspersky Labs.

Boom and bust
Almost a quarter of Moscow's office space stands empty. Projects have been put on hold and some abandoned. How did the market get into the mess?

Money talks
Finding funds: Russian companies need to raise finance, but will the stock market provide it? RBR looks at the restaurateur hoping to tap the market to fund expansion.

Night Life
Hedonism on hold? Did the recession tame Moscow's wild night life,Β RBR spends a night on the town.

Russia Business Report follows on from other successful programmes from the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's business unit over the last few years, including; Middle East Business Report, Africa Business Report and India Business Report.