Russia classed 10th in most dangerous country category. - Despite the rise in its economic power, Russia is now among the 10 most dangerous countries for investors. This analysis was made in the most recent issue of the “Political Risk Atlas”, published by the British firm of consultants, Maplecroft. The rise in the terrorist activities of militant Islamic separatists in the northern Caucasus has led to Russia rising by a further five places in this rather inglorious league table. Russia is now 10th out of 11 countries classed as being extreme risks. Five of these countries are in a state of war. The category looks at 96 countries and is based on 41 criteria covering risks most likely to dissuade investors, such as the instability of the political regime, conflicts, terrorism, expropriation, in addition to inherent long-term risks such as the social or geographical situation of the country (human rights, poverty, education, infrastructure, climate change and health). In addition to the threat of terrorism, Russia also suffers from endemic corruption at all levels of the state, (high level of compulsory purchasing, mediocre corporate governance and inappropriate application of the law). Paradoxically, it is a country where investors who dare meet the challenges mentioned above can create very lucrative businesses, thanks to the lack of competition and political stability. Russia now has a market of 140 million consumers and is an economy experiencing optimum expansion levels, similarly to other BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China). The IMF considers that GDP growth in Russia will be around 4% in 2010 and 4.3% in 2011. The 11 extreme investor risk countries identified by Maplecroft are 1) Somalia; 2) Democratic Republic of Congo; 3) Sudan; 4) Myanmar; 5) Afghanistan; 6) Iraq; 7) Zimbabwe; 8) North Korea; 9) Pakistan; 10) Russia; 11) the Central African Republic. (I.L./transl.fl)