Doing business in Asia, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, and Russia.

Russia is not quite the bear that the dragon of China is. But, Russia still has appeal despite the many real obstacles and challenges a business partner might face.

The laws change seemingly on a whim. The government jumps in and out of relationships. Work stops... A GM factory faced a temporary shutdown when it couldn't come to terms with a state-owned partner.

Still there are a number of joint ventures in the news.

Despite the problems that GM has been having, the automotive retail group Inchcape hopes to team up with Moscow's automotive retailer Independence Group.

Inchcape has operations in Europe, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia, so, why not Russia, too, they say.

Inchcape wants to sell and service Toyotas, one of Inchcape's global brand partners - in Moscow.

Inchcape will be majority owner and have one tire in Moscow's fast-growing garage.