G8 finance ministers meeting in Potsdam

(Reuters) - ON GAS SUPPLIES




"Of course," Kudrin said when asked whether he could give assurances Russian gas supplies to the outside world would not be interrupted. "It's linked to long-term contracts. We have no intention of interrupting supplies."


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Bolivia plans to hike mining taxes to 50 pct

(Reuters) - Bolivia plans to hike taxes on mining companies to 50 percent of profit, from 35 percent now, as leftist President Evo Morales strives to reap more benefits from the country's mineral wealth, a mining official said.

After taking office as the country's first president of indigenous descent in January 2006, Morales drastically raised taxes on natural gas operations and nationalized reserves of the fuel.


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India tightens foreign borrowing rule for firms

(Reuters) - India has tightened overseas borrowing rules, making it harder for less creditworthy and smaller local companies to raise funds, which analysts said would curb soaring capital flows and calm the hot real estate sector.

The finance ministry said in a statement late on Friday that the ceiling has been lowered to 150 basis points over six-month Libor from the earlier 200 basis points for overseas borrowings by Indian companies for maturities between three and five years.


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