IN BRIEF (Page 13)

Nickel supplier to double share

OAO GMK Norilsk Nickel, the world's biggest supplier of the metal, plans to double its share of the Chinese market as profit from sales to Asia's largest economy outstrips earnings in Europe.

Norilsk seeks to provide as much as 40 percent of China's nickel imports, up from 20 percent, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Victor Sprogis said on Thursday, without giving a timeframe. As demand for metal grows from financial investors, the Russian company is also ready to offer copper and nickel to funds.

China helps drive Audi sales

Volkswagen AG's Audi unit increased its worldwide sales in September by 16 percent, to 102,650 cars and sport-utility vehicles, the company said in an e-mailed statement on Thursday. The increase was driven by deliveries in China, which rose by 45 percent, the company said.

Bloomberg News - Reuters

(China Daily 10/08/2010 page13)