Gazprom, the Russian oil and gas giant, is set finally to launch its long-awaited return to the international bond markets on October 29, joining a group of Russian corporates jostling for investors' attention.

Gazprom's management is to meet on October 23 when they are expected to rubber-stamp a bond issue of up to $500m (€548m) in value - though it is likely that the bond itself will be denominated in euros. Senior management will then launch a marketing campaign, involving a series of meetings with bond fund managers from October 29 to November 2.