FACTBOX - Russian firms seeking state refinancing help
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia plans to channel $50 billion (28 billion pounds) from its foreign exchange reserves towards helping its firms refinance foreign debts, as the global financial crisis makes it almost impossible to raise new loans abroad.
Russian firms borrowed furiously during Russia's 10-year economic boom to expand and make acquisitions and now have to repay or refinance $120 billion before the end of 2009.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Monday only firms working in key sectors of the real economy will have access to refinancing aid for loans taken out to fund projects of strategic importance or to buy assets inside Russia.
The money will flow via state bank VEB, which said it had already received more than 35 applications exceeding $50 billion.
Following is a list of Russian companies which have said they are, or have been reported to be, seeking state help:
© Thomson Reuters 2009 All rights reserved.
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