The Ministry of Finance of Russia has prepared some preliminary proposals for the return of Western companies that include the requirement to localize part of the production and agree to the transfer of technologies to increase productivity, Bloomberg writes with reference to two Russian sources. In March, in March, he instructed the government to develop a procedure to agree on the return of Western companies that left Russia. Bloomberg calls this a “most specific” sign that Moscow is preparing to relieve sanctions. However, according to one of the sources of the agency close to the Kremlin, “no one has yet been knocking on the door.” According to the manager of the strategic consulting company, Macro Advisory, Chris Wheifer, most Western companies are considering a return until a constant peace agreement is reached. “No one wants to return too early, and then leave again,” he says. In addition, even in the case of concluding peace, there are “serious political and economic obstacles” to return, writes Bloomberg. The assets of some companies were sold to new owners, and due to parallel imports, “everything from the iPhone to Coca-Cola” is available at about the same prices as everywhere. There is no evidence that any Western company plans to return to Russia, also writes Financial Times. The newspaper mentions that the first case when Moscow stopped the external management of the captured company is not through sale was the Italian Ariston. At the end of March, Putin canceled the decree that transferred Russian assets of Ariston Group to the management of Gazprom household systems. According to FT sources, this was the result of “intensive lobbying” by the Italian Foreign Ministry, the Italian Embassy in Moscow and a high -ranking private person. According to a Western businessman who regularly contacting Russian officials, the Russian government, which says “the door is open” gives a signal that if the companies arrive too late, may arise. “They want to create an effect that now or never,” he said. The volume of the possible return of foreign companies to the Russian market began along with the negotiations of Russia and the USA to conclude peace in Ukraine. However, so far there were no specific statements by foreign brands who left Russia. Vladimir Putin instructed the government to develop a procedure for the coordination of the return of Western companies, but said that “as it was no longer it was.” In the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP), they created a working group to discuss the return of foreign companies, Vedomosti reported. Among the issues that the entrepreneurs are discussing-whether it is possible to limit the reverse ransom of shares, what to do with parallel imports and how to protect the business that was engaged in import substitution and “is afraid of both the return of Western companies and the influx of Chinese importers due to US duties.” In addition, there is a question whether it is necessary to create universal conditions for companies from “unfriendly” and “friendly” countries. In Russia, they talk a lot about the imminent return of Coca-Cola, Apple, Uniqlo, McDonaldʼ and other foreign companies. Do these rumors have at least some reason? (Tagstotranslate) News
