Japan's leading bank holding talks on coop with Sberbank

TOKYO, September 15 (Itar-Tass) -- One of the leading in Japan Mizuho Corporate Bank is holding talks on cooperation with Sberbank which, in
particular, may envisage financing of investment projects in Russia. A
representative of the Tokyo headquarters of the corporation has confirmed
in a talk with ITAR-TASS on Thursday the fact of such contacts, however,
refused to disclose their specific content so far.
At the same time, according to the Japanese leading economic weekly
Nikkei, the question is of giving Sberbank funds to finance, in
particular, payments for the import of goods to Russia from Japan, as well
as operations of Japanese companies in Russia. Mizuho also hopes to get an
access to the clients' network of the Russian biggest bank. It plans to
acquaint Japanese companies, which are interested in purchasing assets in
Russia or creating joint ventures there, with it.
Mizuho Corporate Bank is working in Russia since January 2008 when it
bought a unit of the regional bank Minooka - - the pioneer of Japan's
financial business in the Russian market - - set up there back in 1999.
Two other bank giants of Japan - - Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ and
Sumitomo-Mitsui also have their daughter companies in Russia.