Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov presides over the Russian Government session.
Photo: Ilya Pitalev
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Mikhail Fradkov Gives Nod to Customs
// But he has left the infrastructure under his control so far
Due to Russia’s accession to the WTO, the priority of its customs policy in 2008-2010 will be to reduce import duties. The federal budget might lose up to 110 billion roubles by 2010. It can be compensated by improving customs managing, but the government cannot appoint the responsible one.
Russian government adopted “The priorities of customs policy for 2008-2010”. Russia hopes to join the WTO by January 1, 2008, and thus plans to reduce import duties by 11 percent.
Yet, Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin fears it will lead to budget losses (around 40 billion roubles in 2008, and 110 billion roubles in 2010). The Federal Customs Service provides for almost a half of the federal budget’s revenues. The customs is to bring in 3123.7 billion roubles in 2007, of which 1083.13 billion roubles come from import duties.
Minister of Economic Development and Trade German Gref disagrees, saying that the losses can be avoided by improving customs management, which might add $3-4 billion to the budget. “Upgrading customs terminals, simplifying procedures will reduce the share of ‘gray’ import, which will automatically lead to the growth of customs revenues,” said Igor Belyakov of economy expert group.
However, the Federal Customs Service is no longer controlled by the Ministry of Economic Development. Since May 2006, it is directly controlled by Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov. So far, it will be he who defines the customs policy.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Mar. 05, 2007
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