Emperors of Russia's energy hold court in the city of White Nights

In the opulent Hermitage in St. Petersburg, large crowds ignore the dark, but awesome at the Henry Moore sketches GAWP British exhibition held at the museum's collection of Impressionist paintings franceses.Su brilliant color choice in art is a reflection of the exuberant atmosphere in the city, where the White Nights Festival is in full swing with classical music concerts at the Mariinsky Theatre and the performance of Sting on the floor of the Winter Palace, former residence of the Tsars. 


But the atmosphere is more profound confidence is underscored by other current city jamboree - despair St. Petersburg Economic Forum colorful Internacional.Facturados locally as Russia 's Davos, after the Swiss resort that is home to a meeting Annual great and good, this year's event certainly lives up to its nombre.El Chinese Premier Hu Jintao, shared the opening ceremony with his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev, and a group of other presidents and kings of the business and finance are here, all courting the growing power of Russia as the largest holder of gas reserves in the world and some of its biggest oil fields.
While Britain and other Western nations are struggling with the disadvantages of high energy prices, Russia is efectivo.El soaking in gross domestic product increased by 4% last year - more than double the UK rate of growth - and is expected to grow even faster this año.Niveles advertising have doubled in the last 12 months, while car sales have soared by 25% to about 2 million vehicles a year.The roads in San Petersburg was paralyzed with the Range Rover and 4x4 black BMW.
And the brands are selling glamorous: Tag Heuer, the Swiss watchmaker, has opened its first boutique in St. Petersburg, Louis Vuitton, the luxury goods group, kept its local store open until after midnight on Thursday to make facing a wave of buyers.
Hu rain of what he described as "friendly neighbor and strategic partner" of China with praise for his work in modernizing its economy and raise the nation's leading life.The world's most populous, said both parties had agreed in previous discussions in Moscow to increase bilateral trade to $ 100 billion by 2015 and $ 200 billion in 2020.
No commitment to share nuclear expertise and cooperate in "emerging green industries" as well as finance and science.
Especially the Mission Hu was to include Russia into an agreement for gas supply for 30 years with China, which could be worth up to $ 1 billion to help the booming energy economy of Beijing and Moscow will diversify its exportsoutside Europe. Behind the scenes, Russia showed its strength reportedly refusing to yield to demands to cut prices, so that an agreement has not yet been closed.
Later it was the turn of the industry to the tip of the cap Rusia.Bob Dudley BP, Shell, ExxonMobil Peter Voser and Neil Duffin were among dozens of heads of international energy cooperation willing to discuss with Russian President.
However, although everything has a bright shiny new in Russia - even the sales of women in a state of gas Gazprom, the group dresses up for the forum in what appear to silk evening gowns - scratching surface and some old stereotypes are ugly.
Difficulties
The new wealth is largely going into the hands of the relatively small - but growing - the upper class media.La most people, especially those living in rural areas continue to experience difficulties - at least not prices relatively high domestic energy.
Corruption remains a problem grave.Transparencia International, which oversees the issue, said in its latest annual report that corruption had increased the nation Rusia.Nota transparency was reduced last year from 2.2 to 2.1 in a scale of 0.0 ("highly corrupt") to 10.0 ("highly clean"). Moreover, the classification of countries was reduced from 146 of the 180 to 154 of 178 countries, landing between Papua New Guinea and Tajikistan.
Professor Vladimir Kvint, a professor at the Moscow School of Economics, told The Guardian that the energy consumption per unit of gross domestic product of Russia was 40% behind the U.S. and 80% below China.
He confirmed that immorality is a serious issue in any business - but also the entire judicial system. "There needs to be a brutal war against corruption," he said.. "Deng [Xiaoping] killed corruption at the top [ in China] need a big clearout - perhaps the fire all judges and recruit a new generation of young people at three times the salary. "
And by the way the bright summit in St. Petersburg is an economic alternative forum in the hands of the other protagonists of Rusia.Sus also claim corruption is being ignored and that Medvedev is not doing enough to diversify the economy away from oil and gas.
In fact, the president probably could not be accused of circumventing the country's problems when he gave his speech in the presence of Hu apertura.Incluso foreign dignitaries and many admitted that corruption is "stifling the economy," and promised to end it .
However, Medvedev said he was optimistic, insisting that he wanted nothing to do with the "state capitalism" and has wanted to increase the private sector in supporting the economy.
The question is whether the words in bold can be combined with a practical action eficaz.Un architect looking at the Picasso paintings in the Hermitage was optimistic about Russia's Medvedev, but take nothing for granted.
"I and all my friends joke with each other that if the country begins to fall back to communism will be the first plane to New York," he said. "Actually, it's not a joke."

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