MOSCOW, April 2 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's lower house of parliament approved on Wednesday a bill restricting foreign investors' access to key sectors of the Russian economy.

The new law requires any foreign investor seeking to buy a stake of over 50% in a company in one of 42 strategic sectors to receive government approval. Prospective investors in which a foreign government holds a stake will be required to seek authorization for the purchase of more than 25% of shares. The law is not retroactive.

Under the new law, strategic sectors include the nuclear industry, arms production and sale, the fishing industry, aerospace, geological prospecting, oil and gas exploration and production.