MOSCOW, December 13 - RAPSI, Natalia Belova. A court has postponed until December 20 its hearing of the state-run Russian Technologies Corporations $137.7 million lawsuit against Techintorg, the Russian Legal Information Agency (RAPSI/rapsinews.com) reports from the court.

The claimant increased its claim on Tuesday by requesting greater interest. The Russian Technologies Corporation earlier sought to recover 4.294 billion rubles ($136.7 million) including 4.061 billion rubles ($129.2 million) of unjustified enrichment and interest. Now the company claims 4.061 billion rubles (($129.2 million) and 264.1 million rubles ($8.4 million) in interest.

State-run Techintorg was engaged in the construction of the federal high technology centers under the national "Health" project.

The Russian Technologies Corporation acted as the customer. The claimant said at the hearing that the customer and Techintorg entered into a construction contract on February 25, 2007. Techintorg committed to build eight medical centers. The parties then signed a supplementary contract in 2009 implying construction of only one medical center in Chelyabinsk. Meanwhile, the Russian Technologies Corporation paid Techintorg for all eight. So, the corporation wants to recover the prepaid funds.

The defendant protested against the lawsuit claiming that the project cost more as the built center is larger than it was initially designed.

The claimant said that the parties are unlikely to settle the dispute because they have been unable to come to an agreement for quite a long time.
Founded in 1979, Techintorg is controlled by the Economic Development Ministry.

The Russian Technologies Corporation unites 439 companies, which produce 23% of the defense equipment in Russia.