Russia is set to open its first gas exchange this year, if the past six monthsof planning bear fruit. The trading platform model is being finalised by theRussian Gas Market Coordinator, a non-profit organisation created by the RussianGas Society, state-run gas firm Gazprom, electricity utility UES and the Unionof Independent Gas Producers (Soyuzgas). Gazprom is to make available about 5billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas, and a further 5 billion to 10 bcm is to comefrom independent gas producers