Russia, China sign $3.5 bln of deals as Putin visits

BEIJING Oct 13 (Reuters) - Russian and Chinese companies have signed deals worth $3.5 billion during Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's visit to Beijing, his deputy Alexander Zhukov said on Tuesday. "Before the start of the Russian economic forum, various deals and contracts between Russian and Chinese businessmen were signed. The total value is around $3.5 billion," Zhukov told reporters.

He added that the deals included a $500 million from the Agricultural Bank of China to Russia's second biggest lender VTB (VTBR.MM). Russian state bank VEB secured a $500 million loan from its Chinese equivalent. (Reporting by Daria Korsunskaya; Writing by Toni Vorobyova; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)