Addressing a gathering of Russian bankers in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, Putin said that his government believes the activities of foreign bank branches should be limited and, "in essence," forbidden.
Putin said the measure was necessary not only to preserve Russian banks from foreign competition, but also to make it easier for law-enforcement agencies to trace dirty money and terror-related funds.
Foreign banks in Russia are currently allowed to operate only through subsidiaries that must be registered in the country.
The United States, which has yet to agree to Russia's entry into the World Trade Organization, insists that foreign banks be allowed to open branches in Russia. It has made the issue a precondition for Moscow's membership.
(RIA-Novosti/ITAR-TASS/Interfax/AFP)
2005 In Pictures
A slideshow of images related to the top news stories of 2005.
See also:
2005 In Review: Text Messaging Takes World By Storm
2005 In Review: Bush's Democracy Agenda Sees Mixed Results
2005 In Review: EU Lives Year Of Gloom, With Future Uncertain
